Rosewood Series Rules

We obey USA Cycling ruling for stage racing by points classification. (USAC Rule Book)

Special Rules:

Leader’s Jersey Policy

1. Mandatory Wear:
   The leader’s jersey must be worn by the current series leader during the race. Failure to wear the leader’s jersey will result in a penalty of 5 points, provided a formal protest is submitted by another rider in the same category.
2. Exception:
   No penalty will apply if the leader’s jersey was not provided by the race sponsor or promoter when it was first earned.
3. Forfeiture of Privilege:
   A rider who voluntarily declines to wear the leader’s jersey forfeits the privilege of wearing it in subsequent races within the same series, points penalty may apply.
4. Non-Appearance:
   If a series leader does not attend the next race and consequently loses the lead, but later regains it, no additional jersey will be issued, as one has already been provided for that series.
5. Issuance Policy:
   Only one leader’s jersey will be issued per rider per series. If a new leader emerges during the series, a new jersey will be provided to that rider.

Participation and Points Allocation

1. Participation Requirement:
   It is not mandatory to compete in all races within a series to retain previously earned points or the leader’s jersey.
2. Points Distribution:
   • Leader’s Jersey:
     At all venues within a series, the top ten riders will earn points on a descending scale from 10 to 1.
   • Sprinter’s Jersey (if applicable):
     The first three riders will earn 3, 2, and 1 points, respectively, except at the Vista View venue.
   • KOM (King of the Mountain) Jersey (if applicable):
     The first three riders will earn 3, 2, and 1 points, respectively, except at Central Broward and Piccolo venues.
   • Championship Jersey:
     At all venues, the top ten riders will earn points on a descending scale from 10 to 1.

Tie-Breaking Procedure

If two or more riders accumulate the same total points, the tie will be resolved according to the USA Cycling Rulebook, Chapter 2P – Omnium:

• 2P1. Definition:
  An omnium is a set of races in which riders compete for points in each event, and final placings are determined by total points across all events. Different numbers of points may be awarded in different events. The scoring scheme must be specified in the official race announcement.
• 2P2. Tie-Breaking Criteria:
  In the event of a tie on total points, the tie will be broken in favor of the rider who:
  (a) Has the most first-place finishes; if still tied, the most second-place finishes, and so on.
  (b) If still tied, the rider with the highest placing in the last race, or the race closest to the last in which at least one of the tied riders placed higher.

Category Upgrade Policy

When a rider upgrades to a higher category (e.g., from Cat 4 to Cat 3), all points previously earned in the lower category will be removed from that category’s standings. This policy ensures fairness to riders who remain in their original category and continue to compete for points.

Uncollected Prize Money

Any prize money not collected during an event will be donated to the Miami Rescue Mission to provide meals for the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. Prize money must be claimed no later than the date of the last race of the season. After the season finale, no claims will be accepted for uncollected prize money.

Awards Policy

1. Individual Race Awards:
   • The top 3 riders in each race will receive medals.
2. Series Awards:
   • At the conclusion of each series, the top 3 riders in the general classification will receive trophies.
   • All series will award a Leader’s Jersey (see Leader’s Jersey Policy for details).
3. Cash Prizes:
   • Winter Series: Cash prizes will be awarded at the end of the series to the top 5 riders in the combined category for each event.
   • Regular Series: Independent cash prizes will be awarded per event; however, the general classification will not have a cash prize.
   • Combined Categories: If categories are combined, prizes will be awarded to the top 5 riders overall, regardless of their original category.
4. Year-End Awards:
   • The Points Champion for the year will be crowned and presented with a special jersey.
   • The best teams in each category, as well as series winners, will be recognized in the Hall of Fame at the end of the season.

Registration and Compliance Policy

1. Mandatory Registration:
   All riders must be officially registered before participating in any race. Riders caught racing without being registered will be reported to USA Cycling for possible suspension.
2. Race Identification:
   Riders without a race number or timing chip will not be included in the official results and will not receive any prizes. No exceptions will be made.
3. Registration Deadline:
   Registration will close 10 minutes prior to the start of each race.

Criterium Rules

1. Assistance by Dropped Riders:
   • Riders who have been dropped from the main pack may not assist riders in a breakaway.
   • Any rider giving assistance, as well as any rider receiving assistance, is subject to disqualification.
   • It is the responsibility of riders in the breakaway to prevent dropped riders from moving to the front and providing help.
2. Lapped Riders:
   • Riders who have lapped the field may receive assistance from teammates or other riders, as this is considered a new race situation.
   • If a rider who has lapped the field is later dropped, they may not receive assistance from riders returning from the main pack.
   • However, if the lapped rider is overtaken by a chase group, they may work together with that group.
3. Finish Rule for Lapped Riders:
   • When a rider or riders lap the field, all participants will finish at the same time, regardless of whether a rider is caught on the last lap.
4. Free Lap Rule (Mechanical or Crash):
   • Piccolo Park: 2 free laps allowed.
   • Central Broward: 1 free lap allowed.
   • Vista View: No free laps allowed.
   • The free lap rule expires with 3 laps to go.

Equivalence of International Licenses

1. Compliance:
   All international riders must comply with USA Cycling rules at all times while racing in the United States.
2. License Equivalencies:
   • Elite License: Grants eligibility to compete in Pro 1-2 categories.
   • Combined Elite License (e.g., Elite – Track): Grants eligibility to compete in Category 3 races.
   • Master License: Grants eligibility to compete in any offered Master category; for all other categories, eligibility is set at Category 4.

Road Race Rules (If Applicable)

1. Motorcycles:
   Motorcycles are strictly prohibited on the course for safety reasons, to protect the riders.
2. Neutral Support:
   The race organization will provide neutral support wheels during wheels-out situations. Riders are responsible for supplying their own wheels.
3. Team Assistance & Caravan Placement:
   • Riders may purchase space in the team caravan to receive assistance, with positions assigned based on the highest number of USAC license points and descending order thereafter.
   • Only one fitting zone authorized by the organizers and compliant with county and city regulations will be designated.
   • Riders are responsible for arranging their assistance vehicles to be present at the fitting zone in advance.
   • At Krome Ave., the fitting zone will be located 500 meters before the finish line on the right-hand side.
   • If no vehicle is assigned by the organizer, riders may bring their own assistant vehicle and position it at the end of the caravan.
4. Assistance Procedure:
   • Vehicles in the caravan are not permitted to move forward to assist riders on the course.
   • Any rider needing assistance must return to their assistance vehicle, notifying the referee’s car of their intentions.
5. Time Limit for Classification:
   Riders must finish within 10% of the winner’s time to avoid being classified as Did Not Finish (DNF).
6. Police Support:
   The organization will provide two police cars per group plus two additional police vehicles at intersections. Police deployment will be managed at the referee’s discretion based on race conditions.
7. Yellow Line Rule:
   The yellow line rule is enforced at all times.
   • First violation: warning issued.
   • Second violation: disqualification.

Image Rights

1. Authorization:
   By participating in any Rosewood Series event, each team and rider hereby authorizes the race organization and its rights holders or representatives to capture, record, reproduce, and publicly display, without compensation, their names, voices, images, biographies, and sporting performances. This authorization applies to all media formats and technologies—existing or future—throughout the world, including for advertising and commercial purposes.
2. Scope and Duration:
   This authorization covers all uses protected by applicable laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and international agreements, including any future extensions of such protections, for the entire duration of those protections.
3. Ownership:
   Rosewood Series, as the event organizer, holds exclusive ownership of all rights related to the event’s recordings. This includes all images and audio captured within event-controlled areas—referred to as Protected Zones—such as the start village, finish zone, podium, interview areas, and team parking.
4. Restrictions on Unauthorized Recordings:
   Any recording or broadcasting of images or sound from the race or Protected Zones via live or recorded streams (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, or other mobile applications) is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from Rosewood Series.

Additional Information and Rule Changes

• For more information, please visit USACycling.org and consult the current USA Cycling Rule Book.
• By obtaining a USA Cycling license, riders agree to comply with all USA Cycling rules and regulations.
• The promoter reserves the right to make changes or modifications to these rules as necessary.