1 October 2020
As the National Governing Body for cycling in Scotland, the wellbeing, health and safety of our members and volunteers is a priority for Scottish Cycling in responding to COVID-19. We continue to monitor the situation closely and work in partnership with sportscotland and the Scottish Government to develop our guidance document.
Scottish Cycling: The Way Forward
As we move towards providing greater clarity around the return of cycle events, we understand that there will be huge excitement and enthusiasm from many within the cycling community to get back on the start line. We look forward to welcoming riders back to events, working with event organisers to develop event models and ensuring officials are supported in implementing changes to event processes.
The Way Forward – Return to Competition has been produced which contains guidance to support a safe return to events and details considerations which must be followed for each discipline and rider category. We continue to closely monitor the Scottish Government updates to revise our own guidance accordingly.
Return to Racing Survey
We received 881 responses to our ‘Return to Racing Survey’ in May which provided valuable insight into how riders, officials, organisers, and volunteers felt about returning to competition. This has been a valuable resource that has directly influenced the development of our own guidance documents and we would like to thank all those that took the time to provide their input.
We have also facilitated webinars aimed at Commissaires and Event Organisers to support them in returning to their roles. We aim to continue consulting with the cycling community as we move towards returning to competitive sports in Scotland.
Scottish National Championships
For the remainder of 2020, in liaison with our volunteer event organisers, we are suspending all Scottish National Championship events. Riders who currently hold Scottish National Titles will still be recognised as Scottish Champions until the running of the next Championship event in that given discipline and age category. If riders move up a category in 2021 (e.g. from Youth B to Youth A), it will mean that there will be no current Champion within that specific category.
This was not an easy decision for us to reach however we are confident that it is the right decision and our focus will be on supporting safe and successful return to events and competition. We look forward to the hopeful return of all National Championships in 2021.
We will continue to work with event organisers to support the return to competition and very much hope that the absence of National Championships will not mean an absolute absence of racing in 2020.
Update on Disciplines
General Guidance for bunch racing
Group or bunch racing events are possible for juniors and youth’s (U18) with a focus on delivering the event with as few participants as possible in attendance at one time. For riders in the junior category and younger, physical distancing does not need to be maintained during competition.
Races for senior category riders (18+) may be permitted in a group or bunch format, where the number of riders in each group does not exceed 30. Each group of riders must not overlap with any other group and should compete distinctly. For riders in the senior category and older, physical distancing does not need to be maintained during competition, however it should still be encouraged.
For all categories and all types of event, riders must physically distance at all other times while not competing during the event.
Closed Circuit
Closed circuit racing is permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition. We have liaised with organisers and are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
Cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross racing is permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition. The Scottish Cyclocross Series has been cancelled for the 2020/21 season. Adapted series and races may take place. We are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
Time Trial
Individual Time Trial events are permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition. At this time, team time trials are not permitted.
Track
Track events are permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition alongside confirmation that facilities are able to support the event safely. Only outdoor track events are permissible at this point. We are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
Road Racing
Due to the current restrictions, we are unable to sanction road racing events. The Scottish National Alba and Women’s Road Race Series have been cancelled. We will continue to review this position as guidance and restrictions change.
Mountain Biking
MTB events are permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition. Both the Scottish National MTB Cross Country and Downhill series have been cancelled for the 2020 season. We are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
BMX
BMX events are permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition alongside confirmation that facilities are able to support the event safely. The Scottish Regional BMX series has been cancelled for the 2020 season. We are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
Cycle Speedway
Cycle Speedway events are permitted to return providing events adhere to the requirements and guidance outlined in The Way Forward – Return to Competition alongside confirmation that facilities are able to support the event safely. We are ready to sanction events for the calendar, subject to organisers compliance with the current regulations. All events sanctioned at this time shall be non-ranking and riders will not receive ranking points.
If you have any questions about the current status of Scottish Cycling events please email events@scottishcycling.org.uk