Race
Regulations Κανονισμός
Αγώνα

The UCI Gran Fondo Greece Loutraki cycling race is a “Cycling for All” event with the participation of Elite, U23, Masters and Sportive athletes (with or without a UCI License). The race is co-organized by ΕυΖΗΝ feelosophy, the Region of Peloponnese and the Municipality of Loutraki, under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the Hellenic Cycling Federation (HCF), with the support of the Titans Cycling Club and the Veterans Cyclists Association of Greece, following the regulations of the UCI and the Hellenic Cycling Federation (HCF). The event takes place on Sunday, 1 November 2026. KYVERNITIS Sports & Events serves as the UCI Gran Fondo Greece Licensee and Official Hospitality Partner.

The race is included in the UCI Gran Fondo Calendar 2026-2027 and qualifies for the final of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.

Sunday 1 November 2026 · Start time: 08:30 · Total distance: 135.63 km · Total ascent: 2,372 m.

Download the GPX file: UCI_Gran_Fondo_2026_Loutraki.zip

Participation is allowed for the following categories of athletes:

• Amateur license
• Master license
• Cycling for All license
• Elite license, with the exception of:
  • Any rider who has during the current year been a member of a team registered with the UCI.
  • Any rider who has taken part in a World Championships, the Olympic Games, Continental Championships, Regional Games, the Commonwealth Games, or a World Cup during the current year.
  • Any rider who has scored UCI points in the year of the World Championships.

By participating in the UCI Gran Fondo you take part in a sporting event organized or approved by sports federations. To participate you must provide one of the following:

• Valid HCF (Hellenic Cycling Federation) license for 2026.
• Valid National Federation license (by any UCI-affiliated Cycling Federation) for 2026.
• Or, for those without such a license who are eligible to participate, a medical certificate or a copy, dated within the last semester from the date of the race.

On-site checks on authenticity of medical certificates and licenses will be carried out. Riders must be able to provide these items when collecting their race numbers or during the event.

Men & Women Categories

Ages are calculated based on the calendar year of birth (31/12), not the date of birth. For an age group to apply, at least 6 riders (men) or 4 riders (women) must be registered; otherwise the category is combined with the next older or younger age category.

Each athlete’s age category is determined based on their age on 31 December of the year of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2026.

The following are not eligible to participate

• Any cyclist who, during the current year, has been a member of a team registered with the UCI.
• Any cyclist who has participated during the current year in a Road World Championship, the Olympic Games, Continental Road Championships, Regional Road Games, the Commonwealth Games, or a Road World Cup.

Cycling in general, and competitive cycling in particular, is a physical activity with risks. Each rider must take part knowing they will be cycling on mountainous terrain with intense climbs and rapid descents.

The Organizer will put safety measures in place: signposting, motorbikes, and signs indicating passages requiring particular attention. Throughout the course, riders must comply with the safety instructions of race personnel (civil protection, motorcyclists, volunteers, etc.).

Safety arrangements end when the finish line is crossed. Riders must respect the highway code at all times. A safety setup with an information car, safety motorbikes, a broom wagon and marshals at junctions will supervise the race.

• At level crossings, in accordance with UCI Regulations, riders must stop when a train passes.
• Roundabouts are passed on the right only.
• Riders must ride on the right-hand side of the road.

Any rider involved in or witnessing an accident, or needing medical assistance, must help others and call the emergency number shown on their race number.

The rider remains solely responsible for any incident, accident or breach of the regulations. All medical costs (ambulance, doctor, hospitalization, etc.) are the rider’s responsibility. The liability of the Organizer, its employees and auxiliaries for direct or indirect damage is expressly excluded, whether for accident, theft or damage of any kind. By registering, you confirm you have adequate insurance and waive any legal action against the Organizer.

Private motorized assistance or private following vehicles on the course are strictly forbidden; offenders will be reported to the police. By registering, each rider confirms they have read all the information, particularly relating to safety, and undertakes to comply with it.

All riders must carry throughout the course:

• A rigid helmet, approved by UCI, with the chinstrap fastened.
• A mobile phone with a charged battery.
• A bib number.
• A framed plate with the emergency number.
• A hydration system (water bottle or hydration pack).

In case of severe weather forecasts (heavy rain and cool temperatures), the organizers must apply the UCI Extreme Weather Protocol and reserve the right to require riders to carry a survival jacket and blanket. Each rider is responsible for carrying equipment suited to the conditions on the day.

Changing bikes during the race is forbidden. Riders may use any type of bike (road, mountain, city, hybrid, cyclo-cross, etc.) except electric, tandems, handcycles and recumbent bikes. In road races, time trial and triathlon bikes are prohibited.

During UCI Gran Fondo World Championships qualifiers, all bikes may be inspected for compliance with UCI regulations. For more information: Clarification guide to the UCI technical regulations · List of approved frame and fork models. Riders are free to wear the jersey of their choice in the qualifying rounds.

Each UCI Gran Fondo World Series event confers qualification rights for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The top 25% of athletes in each age group qualify; this is calculated on the number of starters, not finishers.

In addition, the top three riders in each official age group qualify automatically, regardless of the number of starters. Riders must finish the race to qualify. An age group is calculated based on age on 31 December of the year of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

As qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships starts as of September in the preceding calendar year, any riders who qualify before January 1st and who change age groups during the year of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will qualify as per their age group during the year of the qualifier event, but will be registered in their new age category for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

Each event in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series serves as a qualifying race for the 2027 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France: www.hautesavoie2027.com

• The top 25% of riders in each age category qualify for the World Championships. This percentage is calculated based on the number of riders who started the race, not the number who finished.
• In addition, the top three finishers in each official age category automatically qualify, regardless of the number of participants.
• Riders must finish the race in order to qualify.
• Each rider’s age category is determined based on their age on 31 December of the year of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027.

The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships will bring together 20 UCI World Championships across 12 different venues in Haute-Savoie, France, from 24 August to 5 September 2027. Approximately 10,000 athletes (Elite and Amateur) from more than 130 countries will compete over 13 days for the 281 UCI World Champion titles on offer.

Race numbers and timing chips are collected upon presentation of:

• Your license or qualifying medical certificate.
• The notification email sent before the event.
• Proof of identity.

Race numbers and starter packs can only be collected at the areas, dates and times which will be communicated to riders at a later stage. Distribution is final and irrevocable; bibs are not posted or handed out on race day. The bib must be placed on your back, is mandatory for entering the start area and must remain fully visible throughout the race, including in bad weather.

The Race Technical Briefing takes place at the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, in the Event Expo dedicated podium area, on Saturday 31 October at 19:00.

Registration is made exclusively via the registration platform from the moment registration opens: https://i-qsports.com/product/uci-gran-fondo-greece-loutraki-2026/

Each person registers as a platform member in advance, completes the form and unconditionally accepts the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, providing only true identity information. The Organizer may arrange special offers reducing the bib price. All registrations are personal, final and irrevocable; no refunds are issued unless expressly stated. Each entry generates a unique bib number that cannot be transferred. Anyone transferring their bib is fully liable in case of an accident; the organizer denies all liability.

The organization reserves the right to limit the number of registrations for safety reasons. Prices may vary depending on registration date. Registration deadline: 26 October 2026, 23:59 local time.

Price Policy

Cancellation Policy

Registration cannot be transferred to another person. The rider confirms all information is true and accepts full liability in case of false information.

Entry includes

• Bioracer Cycling Jersey.
• Water Bottle.
• Sling Bag.
• Marked and closed race route.
• Professional timing.
• Feed stations on course.
• Technical service on course.
• Medical service on course.
• Finisher medal.
• UCI medal for the top 25% of each age category.
• UCI Gran Fondo World Series jersey for each age-category winner.

The UCI and HCF regulations apply, in particular those for road cycling. Depending on the number of riders, UCI Gran Fondo start regulations apply. The Gun time principle is applicable. A road bike is strongly recommended; riders may also use other types (cyclo-cross, gravel, etc.), except time trial, fixed and track bikes, which are expressly prohibited.

Technical service vehicles with a mechanic and equipment (wheels, water, fruit) will be present. Neutral service vehicles move only on the instructions of the Commissaires and Race Officials:

• One (1) vehicle at the head of the race.
• One (1) vehicle at the end of the race convoy (broom wagon).
• One (1) or more vehicles following groups of riders.
• 18 support Moto Marshals along the route.

All support vehicles carry the “NEUTRAL SERVICE” marking. They may not overtake the Commissaires and Race Officials vehicles or give instructions to riders.

There are two (2) feed zones along the route, with signage and warning signs 5 km and 1 km before each station. Each feed zone offers water, isotonic drinks, fruit, energy bars and other foods.

For safety reasons, riders must respect the neutralization times. These correspond to times after which it will no longer be possible to continue the race from the relevant checkpoint. Failing to pass the feed zones within the limits results in disqualification from the rankings. If they wish, a rider may continue by signing a waiver, under their own responsibility, without timing or ranking. Time limit: 7 hours 30 minutes from the Gun start.

To retire, a rider reports to one of the feed zones set up by the Organizer. The person in charge takes the bib and advises on the return. Abandoning outside a feed zone must be reported immediately via the emergency number (road book / race number); failure to do so may incur costs. Any rider with a fall, mechanical breakdown or physical problems who cannot reach the repatriation points on their own must immediately notify race management. The medical service may withdraw a rider for medical reasons.

Each rider, to be considered as having completed the UCI Gran Fondo and to be ranked, must complete the race within 7 hours and 30 minutes. The Commissaires and Race Officials Committee periodically checks the status of the race. A broom wagon marked “END OF THE RACE” follows the last rider.

Riders gradually staying behind continue at a training pace, fully respecting the highway code, at their own responsibility, paying special attention to descents, junctions, train lines, etc.

The UCI Gran Fondo is a racing event on public roads; all riders must respect the Organizer’s and Police instructions as well as traffic regulations whether moving on the racing course or non-racing track.

The race marking remains on the course throughout race day. Arrows indicate the direction. Indicative signs at the first 30 km and at the final 20, 10, 5, 3, 1 km, 500 m and 200 m. To be easily identifiable by riders, race staff, Commissaires and Race Officials, the police and other authorities, race vehicles carry special stickers on windshields. A rider receiving help from an unauthorized vehicle is penalized following a decision of the Commissaires and Race Officials.

Ceremony for Women and Men

The three first riders of every age category (women and men) are called to the podium to be awarded their prizes.

UGFWS Finisher Medal

Every rider finishing in the top 25% of their age group in the UGFWS qualifier events shall be given a medal. The organizer sets up a desk/tent where riders can collect their medal.

UGFWS Age Group Winners’ Jersey

All winners of their age group receive an official UGFWS jersey on the podium during the award ceremony.

For age groups where the podium has not been completed, the award ceremony takes place immediately after the end of the first three of the age group. Winners attend in their racing attire and without bicycles.

Each rider who finishes within the time limit of 7.5 hours receives a commemorative participation medal.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, in the UCI Gran Fondo Expo dedicated area, at 15:30, according to the above standards and procedures.

If the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) decides on controls, information will be provided to those involved in accordance with NADO and UCI regulations. The Organizer places great emphasis on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, which are the cornerstone of fair and sustainable sports. Riders must treat other competitors, organizers, volunteers and spectators with respect. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify riders who behave violently or discriminate verbally against anyone.

The UCI penalties scale is the only one applicable to this event.

Riders may not jettison food, bonk-bags, feeding bottles, clothes, etc. outside of the litter zones provided by the organizer. To respect the environment and the natural areas crossed, it is strictly forbidden to discard any items (paper, plastic packaging, gel tubes, etc.) along the course. Litter zones with bins are set up and signposted at each feed zone along the route. Riders must use them.

The Commissaires and Race Officials, together with the Organizer, reserve the right to disqualify riders who deliberately dispose of their rubbish outside the designated areas.

Participation in the race is entirely at the riders’ own risk, and they waive any right of recourse against the Organizer for any damage suffered or caused.

In the event of an accident, all liability of the Organizer and of all persons or entities participating in the organization, in particular but not exclusively, the Organizer’s bodies and employees, agents, contractors, auxiliaries, including volunteers, is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Each rider expressly authorizes the Organizer and its beneficiaries (such as partners and the media) to use still or audiovisual images of the race, including the preparation and post-race phases, in which they may appear, taken during their participation in the UCI Gran Fondo Greece, on all media, including promotional and/or advertising documents, worldwide and for the longest period provided for by law, regulations and treaties in force, including any extensions.

Participation in the race confers no right to use the race for promotional or commercial purposes. No communication about the event or use of images of the event is permitted without the express written authorization of the Organizer, who lays down the conditions. Place of jurisdiction: Athens, Greece.

By participating in the race, the rider accepts the content and terms of this announcement. All involved (athletes, coaches, escorts, spectators and all those involved in the event) accept that their personal data, race results with their performance, photos and videos may be provided to the press, electronic media and partners, and processed by the organizing group and the co-organizers. Competitors participate in the race at their own risk and the organizer has no obligation for any possible accident as well as damage or loss of racing material, clothing, etc.

Participation in the UCI Gran Fondo Greece Loutraki 2026 implies each competitor’s express and unreserved acceptance of these regulations. In the event of any discrepancy between the different language versions of the regulations, the English version shall prevail.