The DUO must support each other.

• WILDLAND EPIC DUO is a self-supported DUO adventure race. Each DUO is expected to be properly prepared for the demands of the course.

• Aid stations will be available at designated points along the course. Riders are nevertheless advised to carry sufficient personal food, hydration, and basic essentials, especially when entering longer or remote trail sections.

• Riders must exercise extra caution and good judgment at all times, particularly in remote or difficult trail sections where access by medical personnel or support vehicles may be limited or delayed.

• Each DUO is responsible for looking after and assisting one another throughout the race.

• In case of an emergency, riders must seek assistance from the nearest race marshal, aid station, or available race personnel.

• Safety takes priority over race position or finishing time.

The DUO must finish together.

• At the finish line, both riders must cross within 50 meters of each other.

• The official DUO finish time is the time recorded when the second rider crosses the finish line.

• The first rider's crossing time is not used as the official DUO finish time.

Example:

Rider A crosses: 4:35:10
Rider B crosses: 4:35:42

Official DUO time: 4:35:42

If the riders do not finish within the required separation, the DUO may be placed under review and may be penalized or classified as DNF at the discretion of the Race Director.

• Riders must follow the official route provided by the organizer.

• The official GPX route is part of the race rules.

• Riders are responsible for having sufficient navigation equipment and knowing the course.

• Missing, bypassing, or materially deviating from a required section of the course is not permitted.

• Mandatory checkpoints and course sections must be completed by both riders.

A rider cannot claim a course violation was caused by following another rider. Each rider is responsible for their own navigation and course compliance.

The organizer may verify the course completion of any rider or DUO.

For podium finishers, GPS verification may be required.

Riders must be prepared to provide their recorded race activity from an accepted device, such as:

• GPS cycling computer;

• GPS watch;

• Bike computer; or

• Other GPS recording device approved by the organizer.

GPS records may be compared with the official event GPX.

Crossing the finish line does not automatically confirm that the course was completed.

If the GPS record, checkpoint records, timing data, race officials' observations, or other reliable evidence indicate a course violation, the result may be placed under review.

Failure to provide a required GPS record without a reasonable explanation may result in the result being withheld or reviewed.

All riders are expected to compete fairly and respectfully.

The following are prohibited:

• Physical interference with another rider;

• Deliberately blocking another rider;

• Tampering with another rider's bicycle or equipment;

• Deliberately damaging another rider's equipment;

• Verbal threats, harassment, or abusive behavior;

• Intentionally causing another rider to lose time or leave the course;

• Receiving or providing unauthorized competitive assistance;

• Any deliberate action intended to gain an unfair advantage.

If a serious violation is proven, the rider and/or DUO may be DISQUALIFIED.

Riders must not use unauthorized motor vehicles, motorcycles, cars, or other vehicles to gain a competitive advantage.

This includes:

Pacing behind a vehicle;

• Being pulled or towed by a vehicle;

• Receiving a push from a vehicle;

• Using a vehicle to bypass traffic or part of the course.

Normal drafting between race participants is permitted unless specifically prohibited by the organizer or by a particular course section.

Riders must use a bicycle that complies with the requirements of their registered category. The organizer reserves the right to inspect any bicycle before, during, or after the race to determine category eligibility.

GRAVEL CATEGORY

• Gravel bikes must use drop handlebars (drop bars).

• Minimum tire size is 40c.

• Gravel bikes may be rigid or equipped with front suspension.

• Front suspension on a Gravel bike must have a maximum travel of 60 mm.

• Flat-bar bicycles are not permitted in the Gravel category, regardless of whether the bicycle is rigid or equipped with suspension.

• A bicycle with front suspension exceeding 60 mm of travel does not qualify for the Gravel category and must compete in the MTB category.

MTB CATEGORY

• MTB bikes must use flat bars or riser bars.

• MTB bikes may be rigid, hardtail, or full suspension.

• Rigid bicycles with flat bars or riser bars are classified as MTB, regardless of tire size.

• An MTB converted to drop bars does not automatically qualify for the Gravel category.

• A converted MTB may compete in the Gravel category only if it meets all Gravel category requirements, including:

  • Drop handlebars;

  • Minimum 40c tire size; and

  • Front suspension travel of 60 mm maximum.

• If a converted MTB has more than 60 mm of front suspension travel, it will remain in the MTB category, regardless of the handlebar type.

CATEGORY DETERMINATION

For clarity:

• Drop bar + 40c or wider + rigid = Gravel

• Drop bar + 40c or wider + front suspension up to 60 mm = Gravel

• Flat bar/riser bar + rigid = MTB

• Flat bar/riser bar + suspension = MTB

• Drop bar + front suspension over 60 mm = MTB

• Any bicycle that does not meet all Gravel requirements = MTB, subject to the Race Director's determination.

DUO BIKE CATEGORY REQUIREMENT
For DUO categories, both riders must use bicycles belonging to the same bike category.

• MTB DUO: Both riders must use bicycles classified as MTB under these rules.

• Gravel DUO: Both riders must use bicycles classified as Gravel under these rules.

• A DUO using one MTB and one Gravel bicycle is allowed to participate and complete the race, but the DUO will not be eligible for an MTB or Gravel category podium.

• Mixed-bike DUOs are still welcome to race and will remain subject to all other race rules, finish requirements, and verification procedures.

• The bike category of both riders may be checked before, during, or after the race.

• If a DUO is found to have used mixed bike categories and has been included in a podium position, the DUO will be removed from that bike-category podium and the official results may be adjusted accordingly.

Example

MTB Category:
Rider 1 = MTB
Rider 2 = MTB
→ Eligible for MTB podium

Gravel Category:
Rider 1 = Gravel
Rider 2 = Gravel
→ Eligible for Gravel podium

Mixed:
Rider 1 = MTB
Rider 2 = Gravel
→ Can still race and finish
→ Not eligible for MTB or Gravel podium

If there is any doubt regarding the eligibility or classification of a bicycle, the Race Director's decision shall be final.

A rider found competing in a category for which their bicycle does not qualify may be reclassified or disqualified, depending on the circumstances.

Both riders must pass all mandatory checkpoints.

Missing a mandatory checkpoint may result in:

• A penalty; or

• DISQUALIFICATION, depending on the checkpoint and circumstances.

Returning to a checkpoint after bypassing a section does not automatically make the course compliant. The Race Director will determine whether the official course requirement was satisfied.

Depending on the severity and circumstances, the Race Director may impose a warning, time penalty, DNF, or DQ.

A DUO may be DISQUALIFIED for a proven serious or intentional violation, including:

• Major or intentional course cutting;

• Bypassing a substantial course section;

• Missing a mandatory checkpoint when the rules require DQ;

• Dangerous or reckless riding;

• Serious traffic violations;

• Deliberately interfering with another rider;

• Physical aggression or threats;

• Unauthorized rider substitution;

• Bib swapping;

• Unauthorized vehicle assistance;

• Tampering with timing or GPS evidence;

• Deliberate actions intended to obtain an unfair competitive advantage;

• Any conduct that seriously compromises the safety, fairness, or integrity of the race.