Commissaire's Guide to AusCycling Road Racing All Ages 2026

From the 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations (7.00) and Road Technical Regulations (5.00.10):

• Supervision: the proceedings at cycling races are supervised by a Commissaires' Panel. AusCycling may vary the numbers to suit the needs of an event.
• Stage races: the panel is at least three commissaires, including the President of the Commissaire Panel (PCP), who allocates the specific duties to the panel members.
• National Road Championships: 1 PCP (an International Commissaire appointed by AusCycling), 2 panel members, 1 secretary/results, 2 judges/timekeepers and 10 communications commissaires.
• National Under 17 and Under 15 Championships: 1 PCP, 2 panel, 1 secretary/results, 2 judges/timekeepers, 3 communications; 10 in total.
• National Masters Championships: 1 PCP, 2 panel, 1 secretary/results, 2 judges/timekeepers, 3 communications; 12 in total.
• State/Territory Road Championships: 1 PCP, 1 to 3 panel, 0 to 1 secretary/results, 1 to 3 judges/timekeepers, 0 to 4 communications; 3 to 12 in total.
• Feed zones and pits: feed zones and pit areas at championships should be controlled by at least two commissaires.
• Anti-doping: the chart lists Sport Integrity Australia for these road events.

From the 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations, 1.05:

• Club and interclub events: an AusCycling or legacy organisation shirt, or one provided by the event organiser; pants, skirt or shorts; and shoes that cover the toes.
• State/Territory, National and International events: AusCycling appointed commissaires must wear the approved AC shirt. For road (other than moto commissaires), that means black or dark coloured pants, or a skirt, with shorts allowed at State/Territory events. Shoes must cover the toes.
• Accreditation: all events must use AusCycling or UCI accredited officials (1.05.01).
• Conduct: as AusCycling members, all officials and commissaires agree to and are bound by the AusCycling Code of Conduct.
• Working conditions: organisers must ensure commissaires work in optimum conditions, and for championships must provide radio communication for all members of the Commissaires' Panel and an officials' enclosure at the finish with a table and chairs.

From the 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations, 1.02 (junior categories Under 9 to Under 17):

• Roll out (maximum): Under 17 is 7.0 metres, Under 15 is 7.0 metres, Under 13 is 5.5 metres, Under 11 and below is 5.5 metres. These apply to male and female juniors.
• Blocking off: the roll out may be restricted by adjusting the derailleur or other means.
• Handlebars: standard "Classic" drop handlebars. Bolt-on extensions are allowed for Under 15 and Under 17 in the individual and team time trial only, and gear and brake mechanisms must not be placed on the extensions. Brake hoods must be parallel to the flare of the drop bars.
• Wheels and tyres: at least 16 spokes and a rim no more than 45mm deep for all events. Only high-pressure detachable tyres, including tubeless, are allowed, and they must be beaded.
• Same bike: at Junior National, State and Territory Road Championships and Junior Tours, Under 15 riders must use the same bike in all events from 2026, and Under 15 and Under 17 riders from 2028.
• Where: at championships, an enclosed area of at least four square metres within 100m of the start line is set aside for measuring and inspecting each rider's bicycle, helmet and clothing, and organisers provide bike measuring equipment. In a time trial, riders present to the bike check area at least 15 minutes before their start.
• If it fails: a bicycle not in conformity at the start means start refused.

From the 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations (1.02 and 1.03) and Road Technical Regulations (1.02):

• Inspection: before official practice, before the start, or during any competition, the rider's bicycle, helmet and clothing may be inspected by officials to check they conform.
• Unsafe equipment: a rider whose equipment is unsafe in the officials' opinion, whether or not it breaks a specific rule, is not permitted to take part in training, warm-up or competition.
• Helmets: every rider must wear a correctly fitted helmet meeting AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent, with the manufacturer's mark stating compliance. A commissaire may inspect helmets at any time.
• Helmet penalties: rider at the start without the mandatory helmet is start refused. Taking the helmet off during the race, or competing with an unauthorised helmet, is F $50 plus disqualification.
• Bicycles: two efficient and independent hand brakes and plugged handlebar ends are required. Fixed sprockets are forbidden except in events nominated as fixed gear. Tubular tyres must be securely affixed to the rims, and a rider who breaks this rule and causes a fall may be suspended, fined, relegated or a combination of all three.
• Clothing: jerseys must cover the shoulders while riding. Non-essential items of clothing, or items designed to influence performance (for example compression), are forbidden, and wearing non-essential items means start refused.
• Devices: digital music players, mobile phones and wireless transmitters are strictly forbidden during training, competition and warm-up on the field of play. Road races allow radio links between a team manager and the riders of the same team only for Elite National Level Time Trials, National Series (or equivalent) events and other events permitted by the UCI.
• Penalty guide: a bicycle not in conformity at the start is start refused, and using one in competition is relegation plus disqualification.

From the 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations and General Technical Regulations:

• Sign-on time: all riders must sign on at least 10 minutes before the start of their road race or criterium (1.01.03). In a stage race, riders sign on up to 10 minutes before start time, and failure to sign on may result in a penalty (5.00.15).
• Numbers: numbers must be worn in competition and cannot be altered, cut or folded. They are affixed securely on four corners unless approved by the event organiser or PCP (1.00.01). Road races and criteriums use two numbers (one on each side of the back, vertical), plus a frame number when supplied; time trials use one (1.00.06 and 1.00.07).
• Penalties: the penalty table lists start without sign on, or failing to respect the order or timing of signing on, as W plus F $50. Being late at the start line is W then D. Wearing only one number where more than one is required is W for a first offence, then F $50 for a second, doubling for each further offence.
• Dropping out: a rider who drops out and does not report to a commissaire or the race secretary faces F $50 in the road race table.
• Withdrawn riders: in a stage race, a rider who withdraws must remove their race numbers immediately.
• Withdrawal by PCP: the PCP may withdraw a rider if the rider or their equipment is not in a fit state to continue (1.01.03).

From the 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations, sections 3.00 to 3.02 and Annexure 4:

• Who and when: in competition a commissaire may issue a penalty to a member for an offence against the Technical Regulations. If the PCP becomes aware of an offence up to 7 days after the event, they issue a penalty in line with Annexure 3. The AusCycling penalty form is used for all penalties.
• Judgement: each case is determined on its merits, considering intent or malice and any extenuating circumstances.
• Penalty types: W warning, F fine, R relegation, D disqualification (including being forbidden to start, elimination, or a decision after the event), plus time or points penalties and suspension.
• Warnings: an official warning is noted on all results in which the rider is listed, and further misconduct by that rider in the same event results in disqualification. The PCP reports every official warning, disqualification or refusal of start to AusCycling after the competition.
• Fines: must be paid within 7 days of the end of the competition (or of the appeal decision). A member who does not pay has their membership suspended until the fine is paid.
• Junior and State/Territory events: the maximum financial penalty should be 30% of the amounts in the tables, which are maximums for elite or national events.
• Serious conduct: if the PCP believes a serious breach of the National Sport Tribunal Conduct and Disciplinary Policy or the National Integrity Framework has occurred, it is reported to AusCycling and the PCP may remove the rider immediately from the race, series or stage race.

Examples from the road table: start without signing on is W plus F $50; a bicycle not in conformity at the start is start refused; using a non-conforming bicycle in competition is R plus D; a rider at the start without a helmet is start refused; a number or frame number altered is W for a first offence, F $50 for a second and F $100 for a third; holding on to the team's vehicle is $100 plus D for the rider and the team manager.

From the 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations, section 3.01:

• First step: team management (or the individual, in non-team events) must first approach the PCP about any incident.
• What can be appealed: only an in-competition fine imposed by the PCP or Commissaires' Panel that exceeded $250. Decisions to warn, relegate or disqualify are not appealable. Any penalty lesser than those in Annexure 3 is not subject to further appeal beyond the panel's determination.
• UCI listed events: the PCP's decision is final and not appealable.
• Time and fee: the appeal must be in writing within 60 minutes of the results being confirmed (unless the PCP gives the appellant more time) and accompanied by a $50 appeal fee. If the result is needed for the next round, the decision must be made before that round. Fees are returned if the appeal is upheld.
• Jury: three independent members appointed by AusCycling, and anyone with a conflict of interest must excuse themselves.
• Outcomes: the jury can uphold the appeal, dismiss it, confirm the decision and penalty, or confirm the decision but alter the penalty by substituting additional fines or penalties or by increasing or reducing a fine.
• Outside the event: AusCycling may consider matters outside the event where there are alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct, the National Integrity Framework or other relevant policies.

From the 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations, criterium (2.03):

• Free lap: when a recognised mishap occurs, the riders involved get one free lap to resume their position as at the moment of the mishap. The PCP or the commissaire working in the pits decides whether to grant it.
• Cut-off: no free laps in the last five kilometres of the event, or as the PCP determines in advance.
• Returning: a rider granted a free lap returns in the position held at the time of the mishap. A rider who was in a group returns at the rear of that group on the next lap. They are not penalised in the final classification but may not be placed in the next intermediate sprint.
• Ineligible riders: a rider who is not eligible for a free lap must make up any lost ground.
• Pits: repair pits are spaced evenly around the circuit with neutral wheels and/or bikes. A commissaire in each pit area decides whether the mishap was legitimate, keeps a record of every rider granted a free lap and gives the PCP a written report at the end of the race.
• Fraud: the penalty for fraudulent use of the free lap rule may include disqualification or suspension.
• Lapped riders: a rider about to be lapped by the field, or so far behind as to be out of contention, may be removed by a commissaire.
• Lapping the field: if two or more riders lap the field, a sprint for the minor placings takes place with three laps to go, and the lapped riders must then leave the circuit immediately so the leaders contest the finish unimpeded.

From the 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations, individual time trial (2.02):

• Bike check: riders must present themselves and their equipment to the bike check area at least 15 minutes before their allotted start time (2.02.03).
• Intervals: riders start at one-minute intervals and are held at the start by an appointed start attendant.
• False start: a competitor who starts before the signal gets a ten-second penalty added to their time.
• Late starter: must stop at the start line with one foot on the ground, may not start before the starter gives the start and in any case not within 10 seconds of another rider's start. Their time begins from their original start signal.
• Mishap: a restart may be granted for a mishap in the first 100m, with the rider starting after the last competitor. No restart after the first 100m, and only two starts are permitted.
• Time penalties: may be added for breaching the start and passing rules, using the Time Penalties Chart in Annexure 1 (2.02.07). The final result is the recorded time, to the hundredth of a second, plus any time penalties determined by the PCP (2.02.08).
• Championship events: an enclosed area of at least four square metres within 100m of the start line, with at least one table and two chairs, is set aside for measuring and inspecting each rider's bicycle, helmet and clothing (2.00.02).

From the 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations, stage race section:

• Where: riders may receive food only in areas set aside for feeding (5.18.01). Feeding is done on foot by team staff only, standing at most one metre from the side of the road and on one side only (5.18.03 and 5.18.04).
• When: no refreshments on hill climbs and descents, or during the first 30km and final 20km of a stage (5.18.09). The PCP may reduce those distances depending on conditions, category, type and length of the stage, and must tell all team managers and riders before the start (5.18.10 and 5.18.11).
• From vehicles: riders drop back to level with their team manager's vehicle or neutral spares to be handed refreshments. The vehicle keeps its position behind the PCP or other commissaire vehicles, never in or behind the bunch (5.18.07). If a breakaway group is 15 riders or fewer, refreshments may be supplied to the rear of that group with the permission of the commissaire with that group (5.18.08).
• Waste: each feeding zone should have a waste zone just before and just after it (5.18.05).
• Service: all service to riders happens on the left-hand side of the road (5.00.20). A rider may receive assistance and mechanical checks only at the rear of their bunch and when stationary. Greasing chains from a moving vehicle is forbidden (5.00.21).
• Support vehicles: each team has one support vehicle in the convoy, under the control of the PCP. An unauthorised vehicle following the race makes the rider it follows liable to a penalty (5.00.17).

The General Technical Regulations list unauthorised refreshments as F $50 in the first 30km, and F $100 (and possibly disqualification) in the last 20km of a one-day race.