Race Rules & Safety

• The event takes place in the mountains and in any alpine situation you are the person primarily responsible for your own safety.  
• You must carry the mandatory gear at all times, unless instructed otherwise by the Race Director. All competitors must carry the same mandatory gear so no one is disadvantaged.  
• You should consume enough food and drink to get you through the event, either as snacks, energy gels or electrolyte drinks.
• If it's a hot day, do not underestimate the amount of water you need for this race!
• There is no cell phone reception on the course.
• Any concerns or complaints can be made to info@motatapu.com and will be treated with confidentiality. Complaints forms will also be available from the Finish Line Info/Rego tent.

• Remain in control at all times, especially on the steep downhill sections. Out of control riders are a hazard to themselves and others.
• The Soho descent is steep and fast so be sure to watch your speed, normal road rules apply. If you are tired or uncertain of the descent you may wish to walk your bike, be sure to stay to the left.
• The Macetown Track is a narrow 4WD road and has a steep 400m drop-off to the river on the rider's right. Going over the edge could result in major injury.Stay left and watch your speed.
• If you need to get off your bike (eg. at Aid Station or going up a hill) move to the left before getting off your bike so others can pass you - don't just stop in the middle.
• River Crossings: There are numerous creek & river crossings throughout the course, the majority being towards the finish line. Depending on recent rainfall, stream levels can vary, sometimes reaching up to waist deep in places. The shallowest spot to cross is generally downstream of the intersection. If you’re in any doubt or very tired, get off your bike and tread carefully as there may be loose, slippery rocks. If heavy rain results in any rivers becoming un-crossable, an alternative high water route will be used over the last few kilometres. If required, marshals will direct competitors accordingly.
• We have a range of expert medical services throughout the course and at the finish line. If you require medical assistance or come across an accident please make your way to the nearest aid station or check point and report the accident.
• Radio communication: as cell phone reception is only available at the start and finish lines, we place our own dedicated radio communication services between Glendhu Bay and Arrowtown. This includes installing three radio repeater stations on the highest points along the route to improve our team's communications in the valleys. These radios are distributed throughout the course at Aid stations, in the designated Queenstown 4WD-Club vehicles and Rhinos, which carry our Medics and Tail End Charlies.

Given the number of competitors on course relative to the number of support crew, it is likely that in an accident or emergency you as a fellow competitor may reach that person before the support crews do. If so, you should proceed as follows:

• You must attend or read the compulsory race briefing for your race.  Briefings will be posted on the website and sent out by email prior to race day.  There will also be a race day briefing immediately prior to start that will include current weather and trail conditions. 
• You must adhere to the volunteers and marshals instructions at all times.
• Only registered riders are able take part in the event.
• Competing under someone else's name is not permitted, and results in disqualification from the race of both competitors. Both parties will be ineligible for any merit or spot prizes and risk being banned from entering any future Motatapu events.
• Your race number must be clearly visible and attached to the front of your shirt or bike.
• Mandatory Gear must be carried at all times.  Any athlete found not to be carrying their mandatory gear will be either not permitted to start, given a time penalty or disqualified.  This is at the sole discretion of the Race Director. 
• The Race Director reserves the right to withdraw any competitor they feel is in distress and would not be capable of completing the event at any stage.
• You must keep to the trail.
• iPods/headphones are highly discouraged as there may be emergency 4WD vehicles moving through the course.  If headphones are worn, ensure that the volume is set at a level whereas surrounding sound can be heard.
• Cut off times have been put in place to ensure the safety of all and to ensure that everyone completes the event well before dark.  If you don't reach the cut off points on the course by the required time or you are deemed unfit to continue the race by event staff, you will not be allowed to continue with the race and will be driven off course by our crew. 
• Each race has a specific finish line cut off time. You must reach the finish line by this time or officials will remove you from the course.
• Access to these privately-owned stations is only permitted on race day so please respect all private property both before and during the event. Competitors must not take photographs of buildings and homesteads and must not harm, approach or interfere with any stock. Breaching these terms puts the Motatapu event in jeopardy.
• TAKE OUT ALL YOUR RUBBISH! If seen littering you will be disqualified, plus you are putting the future of the race in jeopardy. Leave only footprints.
• Staff and medical vehicles will be moving through the course during the race. Please be respectful of this and move out of the way as quickly as possible.  Normal road rules apply throughout, please move to the left and let faster traffic pass on the right. Be courteous to all participants.
• About 500m from the finish line you will need to cross through a Didymo wash station.  You must bike/run through the wash station. This has been requested and approved by Bio Security NZ. "Didymo growths can adversely affect freshwater fish, plant and invertebrate species by reducing the number of suitable habitats. It can form large, thick mats on the bottom of streams, rivers and occasionally on lake edges where there is a wave action. It has no human health risk" - Bio Security New Zealand

Mountain Bike Team Event specific race rules:

• Start time will be calculated when the second team member crosses the start line.
• Finish time will be calculated when the second (last) team member crosses the finish line.
• Riders must ride with their team partner at all times and must remain within the maximum allowable separation time, namely 2 minutes. 
• Rider separation may be measured anytime on course or at the finish line and a penalty will be applied if the separation is greater than 2 minutes.
• Teams must wear the same cycle jersey
  No towing devices are permitted (bungee’s or other) – but you can push/pull your teammate with your hand, assist each other across the river crossings. 
• Teams can share mandatory bike mechanical kit (pump, multi-tool, chain breaker) but must each carry mandatory clothing for themselves
• Riders should not “double back” on the route in order to re-join his/her teammate and instead wait on the side of the course for their teammate to re-join. In cases of rider injury or mechanical failure necessitating “doubling back” the rider will do so with extreme caution keeping to the left of the track. 
• If your team mate needs to pull out due to injury, you may continue to ride the remaining stages on your own. However, you will not be eligible for prizes.

 E- Bike Standards:

• We recommend that you check with your dealer direct on suitability. The bikes will have to make their way through ~10 small creek crossings and 11 crossings of the Arrow River that is roughly mid shin in depth.  They will get wet.  For our recce we used a Moustache Samedi Trail with a Bosch motor.  It is very important that the bike used has a mid-mount motor with a pedal assist system and a minimum 500 w/h battery. 
• Pedal assisted off-road E Bikes only 
• Batteries must hold sufficient charge for a minimum of 47km
• E Bikes must be up to the mandatory bike check standard
• E Bikers must have intermediate mountain bike skills 
• Note that the E Bike category is not intended as a race

E-Bike Battery  Shipment:

• If traveling by air or utilising air freight shipment contact your airline for battery specific transport policies.