Disclaimer
This article is a summary of the main points of the Race Across Series 2026 sporting regulations.
It does not replace a full and exhaustive reading of the official series regulations.
Link to the official regulations: Official Race Across Series Regulations - GRAAALPS 2026
Semi-Autonomy + Main Rules
The series is built on the principles of semi-autonomy and riding on open roads.
Participants must be able to ride independently between two Life Bases, managing nutrition, equipment, and safety on their own.
Key points to remember:
- Drafting strictly prohibited: Except for Duo and Quatuor categories within the same team
- Outside assistance forbidden: Any external help outside Life Bases leads to immediate disqualification
- Mandatory rest: For 500 km, 1000 km, and 2500 km distances, a cumulative stop of 4 hours is required for every 36-hour period
- GPS tracking: A GPS beacon is provided at the start for live tracking and route validation
Maximum Allowed Time - Cutoff Time
| Distance | Race Across Series | GRAAALPS |
|---|---|---|
| 200 km | 12 h | / |
| 300 km | 24 h | 48 h |
| 500 km | 48 h | 72 h |
| 800 km | / | 120 h |
| 1000 km | 96 h | / |
| 2500 km | 240 h | / |
Participation Requirements for 1000km - 2500km
You must provide proof of significant experience:
-
1000km:
- Have finished a Race Across 300km within the last 12 months
- Have finished a Race Across 500km within the last 24 months
- Have finished a Race Across 1000km within the last 36 months
- Have finished a Race Across 2500km in the past
- Be able to provide a reference from any other cycling event/race/self-supported adventure of at least 300km in 24h
-
2500km:
- Have finished a Race Across 500km within the last 12 months
- Have finished a Race Across 1000km within the last 36 months
- Have finished a Race Across 2500km in the past
- Be able to provide a reference from any other cycling event/race/self-supported adventure of at least 500km in 48h
Supporting documents must be sent to the Organizer no later than 30 days before the event.
Administrative File
To collect your race number, the administrative file must be completed:
- QR Code: Generated by the Miles Republic platform and sent a few weeks before the event
- Proof of identity: Valid original ID card or passport
- Medical certificate: FFC/UCI Competition license or a medical certificate less than one year old with the exact statement: “no contraindication to competitive cycling”
- Insurance certificate: Information about your personal accident insurance (insurer name and valid policy number)
Important: Administrative documents must be uploaded to the Dokeop platform no later than 30 days before the event.
Bike Type
There are 2 authorized bike categories:
- Standard: Standard, TT, road, gravel, MTB
- Open: Any other bike type different from the standard category, as long as it is allowed by the country’s road code
The following rules also apply:
- Bikes must be propelled by human power only
- All team members must use the same bike type/category
- Otherwise, the team is automatically placed in the Open category
Mandatory Equipment
An article dedicated to mandatory and recommended equipment can be found at the following link:
Race Across Series - GRAAALPS: mandatory and recommended gear
| Equipment | Quantity | Safety Pack For everyone | Comfort Pack 1000km-2500km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified helmet | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Front light | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Headlamp | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Rear lights | 2 | ☑ | ☐ |
| GPS device with official route | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| High-visibility vest | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Reflective strips: 2x fork + 2x seat stays | 4 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Survival blankets 1.40 m x 2.00 m | 2 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Whistle | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Water reserve (min. 1L) | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Phone with PGO number | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Repair kit | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Combination lock | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Waste pouch | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Reusable cup | 1 | ☑ | ☐ |
| Padded jacket | 1 | ☐ | ☑ |
| Leg warmers or long bib shorts | 1 | ☐ | ☑ |
| Gloves | 1 | ☐ | ☑ |
| Waterproof jacket | 1 | ☐ | ☑ |
| Bivy bag | 1 | ☐ | ☑ |
Absence of equipment listed in the Safety Pack or Comfort Pack during a check may be sanctioned:
- Safety Pack: Disqualification
- Comfort Pack: 4-hour penalty
Equipment Check
Compliance with mandatory equipment is an important element for everyone’s safety and the proper running of the event. Therefore, it is checked before the start and during the event:
- Initial check: A full check of all mandatory equipment is carried out between race number collection and the start
- Base Camp checks: At each entry or exit, 3 randomly selected mandatory items are checked (2-hour penalty per missing item, cumulative)
- Unannounced checks: The Organizer reserves the right to check participants’ equipment at any time on the course
Start Procedure
Essential points for the start procedure:
- Briefing: Mandatory attendance at the pre-event meeting
- Punctuality: Arrive in the start area at least 20 minutes before your individual start time
- GPS beacon: Collection and mounting of the beacon provided by the organizers
- Drop Bags: Drop-off of your bags at designated locations (depending on distance and event)
- Interval: Starts are given individually every 30 seconds
- Start order: Chronological order based on registration date (first registered = first started)
Special case 2500km: Finishers of this format keep their race number for life and start according to that numerical order.
Sleep Rule
The sleep rule is as follows:
4 mandatory hours of stop time per 36-hour period
- Calculation starts at the rider’s start time
- Time is calculated and accumulated from the GPS beacon data provided at the start
Penalties
To ensure fairness, 2 categories of penalties are applied:
- Category 1: Leads to exclusion from the event
- Category 2: Leads to a time penalty
Category 1: Immediate disqualification
- Using an undeclared bike
- Unauthorized assistance outside a Life Base
- Riding in the slipstream of a vehicle or holding onto a vehicle
- Sharing a race number before or during the event
- Disrespect toward people/participants/supporters
- Using any means of transport during the event
- Failure to comply with the cumulative 4-hour stop every 36 hours (sleep rule)
- Non-compliance with road traffic rules: 1st warning = orange flag / 2nd warning = disqualification
- Refusing an anti-doping check
- Any uncivil or disrespectful behavior reported to the Organizer by law enforcement authorities
- Failure to assist a person in difficulty (requiring support)
- Missing mandatory equipment from the Safety Pack
Category 2: Time penalty
- Missing GPS beacon: according to Event Management decision
- Passing or leaving a checkpoint beyond the time limit: at Event Management discretion
- Missing frame plate and/or sticker resulting in poor visibility of race number: Penalty = 2 hours
- Unregistered media vehicle: Penalty = 12 hours (orange flag)
- Littering (intentional act): Penalty = 4 hours (orange flag)
- Missing mandatory equipment from the Comfort Pack: Penalty = 4 hours
Rescue and Medical Assistance
In case of serious difficulty, the rider must call for assistance via:
- A call to the PGO (number shown on the frame plate)
- A request made to another rider or third party
- The SOS function of the GPS beacon provided at the start
Emergency numbers reminder:
| Country | General | Police | Fire | SAMU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 112 | / | / | / |
| France | 112 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
| Belgium | 112 | 101 | 100 | / |
| Switzerland | 112 | 117 | 118 | / |
| Canada | / | 911 | 911 | / |
| Spain | 112 | / | / | / |
Withdrawal and Repatriation
Process to follow in case of withdrawal:
- Inform the PGO of your withdrawal.
- Reach the nearest Base Camp by your own means and return the GPS beacon to the person in charge. A non-returned beacon will be charged.
- The organizer does not cover participant or bike repatriation. The rider is responsible for reaching the finish area or home.
- In Duo or Quatuor, if one member withdraws, the others may become individual “Finishers”, but the team will not be ranked.
Definitions
Cutoff Time: Maximum time allowed for a rider to complete the full route they are entered in. Each distance has its own specific cutoff.
Base Camp: Checkpoint managed by the Organization. Base Camp are supplied with drinks and food. They also include:
- A “Friends & Family” reception area
- An area reserved for DROP BAGS
- An area reserved for refueling/food supply
- An area reserved for recovery/rest
- Showers and sanitary facilities
- An electrical charging area
Drop Bags: Bags that simplify personal logistics on point-to-point events and long distances (1000km - 2500km).
PGO: Operations Management Center. It continuously monitors each participant by:
- Tracking each participant’s GPS beacon in real time
- Checking compliance with rules (including mandatory rest periods)
- Providing 24/7 support in case of need or unexpected situations on the road
Semi-autonomy: Being autonomous between two Base Camps regarding food, clothing, and safety equipment. This restriction concerns nutrition, mechanical support, and any outside support that could facilitate or unfairly advantage a participant.