RULES & REGULATIONS
Welcome to the Rules & Regulations page for the Kenya Cycling Race Series. Here, you'll find essential guidelines and requirements for participants, teams, and spectators. Our aim is to ensure a and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. review these regulations carefully to stay informed and compliant throughout the series.
Kenya Cycling Racing Series (KCRS) 2025 Race Rules and Points System
1. Race Selection Process
Criteria:
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Give priority to larger, well-organized events that provide prompt race results and effective marketing.
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Ensure geographical variety across Kenya.
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Support races that enhance U23 categories and promote female participation.
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Prioritize races with strong safety measures.
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Prioritize races that provide GPX routing, effective marshalling, and rider checks at key points.
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Consider input from riders and teams via surveys.
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Focus on affordability.
2. Selection Process:
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An initial survey is circulated to Race Captains, Organizers, and Sponsors to vote on the current year’s races, including non-calendar events. The first six races are selected from this survey.
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A second survey on KCRS media channels allows cyclists to vote. The next three races are chosen based on the highest votes.
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KCRS Volunteers select the final three races based on the above criteria.
Requirements on Race Organisers
As a refresher, KCRS does not organise races in Kenya. KCRS simply identifies races that are pre-organised by various race organisers and puts them into the calendar. There is mutual value between KCRS and the Race Organiser to have a well attended race. The criteria is set out in Section 1.
Our request to race organisers is set below:
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We encourage safety in the race at all times. This includes route design to avoid crowded areas, dangerous downhills, congested roads, or other issues – especially at critical tiems such as the finish. Race Organisers are highly recommended to have adequate medics at the event.
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All male riders must start the race at the same time, and must follow the same route. Similarly all female riders must race the same route at the same time. It is acceptable to have all riders in the designated KCRS race to start at the same time.
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Race Organisers are highly encouraged to set up race number spot checks at critical points along the route. This is to ensure a fair race environment and to ensure all racers ride the same route. Racers caught cheating either intentionally or unintentionally can be DQ’d and removed from the race results by either the Race Organiser or by KCRS.
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A well attended race, with prompt, accurate results, that attracts a high quality of elite riders will garner votes for continued participation in the KCRS calendar.
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Prize money for the race is not mandatory, however, honesty and integrity when marketing the event and following up on distributing prize money is a serious concern. A race may be excluded from future KCRS calendar inclusion if the prize money distribution did not follow pre-event advertised promises.
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Safety, fair competition, enjoyment, and inclusion are values that KCRS values in their race selection.
3. KCRS Points System:
Point Distribution
Rank | KCRS Points |
|---|---|
1 | 100 |
2 | 92 |
3 | 87 |
4 | 83 |
5 | 79 |
6 | 75 |
7 | 73 |
8 | 69 |
9 | 66 |
10 | 64 |
11 | 62 |
12 | 60 |
13 | 58 |
14 | 56 |
15 | 55 |
16 | 54 |
17 | 53 |
18 | 52 |
19 | 51 |
20 | 50 |
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Standard points for 1st to 20th place in all races, male or female
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For positions 21st to last, points are linearly scaled from 50 to 5 pts based on the number of riders. ( 45 / number of finishers greater than 20)
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The riders are ranked based on overall placing regardless of their age group. The age groups are then filtered and compared against others in their category based on relative position in the overall standings.
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A U19, U23, Vet, or Master can compete in their age category and in the overall category. Since there is no special advantage of being a Master or U19, and since they also qualify, a U19 will also be placed in the U23 standings, and a Master will also be placed in the Veteran standings.
Special Race Multipliers:
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120% Value Races ("Kenya Classic" concept):
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Two stage races and one high-profile single-day race award 120% points to reward difficulty and attract top riders.
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All positions receive 1.2x their standard points.
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60% Value Stage Races:
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Individual stages of a complete stage race award 60% points.
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Encourages participation from geographically isolated riders or those with other commitments.
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All positions receive 0.6x their standard points.
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Example Calculation:
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A rider finishes 1st in one stage, 20th in another, and 5th overall:
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First stage: 100 pts * 0.6 = 60 pts
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Second stage: 50 pts * 0.6 = 30 pts
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Overall 5th: 79 pts * 1.2 = 94.8 pts
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4. Individual and Team Points
Individual Points:
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Rankings are based on a rider’s best 7 event results in the year.
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If fewer than 7 events are attended, all count; if more, lowest scores are dropped.
Team Points:
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Rankings are based on a rider’s best 7 event results in the year.
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If fewer than 7 events are attended, all count; if more, lowest scores are dropped.
Team Rules:
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Riders cannot switch teams during the year. Team declarations are due by April 30th.
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Riders wishing to leave a team must notify KCRS directly, no later than September 30th.
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Team Captains are responsible for accurate, consistent rider registration.
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If a rider leaves a team or switches a team prior to the deadline above their points travel with them and do not stay with the original team. This is regardless of any financial arrangement between the team and the rider – and follows a UCI standard.
5. Awards for 2025 Season
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Team Classification
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Overall Men and Women
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U23 Men and Women
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U19 Junior Boys and Girls
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Vets 40+ Men and Women
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Masters 50+ Men and Women
Age Categories
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Based on age as of December 31st, 2025 (e.g., turning 19 in 2025 places you in U23).
6. Frequently Asked Questions from the 2024 Season
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What is KCRS role in the Race Organisation? KCRS role in the Races Each race is independent of KCRS: we only curate existing races into the series All event management is up to the indenpent Race Organiser: this includes safety, prize money, medic, marshalling Our reason for riders to participate in KCRS races is that the series ranking can be used in your personal and team promotion to your personal and team sponsors. KCRS rankings provide evidence of improvement. We encourage best-on-best racing for the top athletes which will encourage competition and growth! This will grow the sport! KCRS offers marketing and promotion of the race, and a race usually has higher participation if it is on the calendar
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Transparency and Process. Please share the Rider Feedback from the 2024 Season Survey:
Rider and team feedback focused on race accountability involving lap-counting, ensuring that the race was well communicated, ensuring the race started on time, sharing the GPX file in advance was requested by riders and teams, however race organisers also felt that sharing GPX file allowed frequent bandit riders to join the race and ride along, which is a safety concern. It was agreed to allow the race organiser to decide, however, the GPX file must be shared timely the day before the race. -
How were the weights of the various criteria balanced in decision-making? The surveys were the highest weighted criteria used in the decision-making process. As we intend to delivery a reliable race series, the next preference went to established races that are well-known, well-attended, safe, and have a history of delivering successful events.
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Inclusivity. What steps are being taken to ensure the criteria encourage diversity and broad participation?
Two Ladies only races were included to promote the sport. Races are predominantly Men. KCRS supports the growth of the sport to girls and ladies. Minimum two races are selected to be in the Coast Region Minimum two races are selected to be in Western Kenya Races in Nairobi attain the highest participation, which is also considered. KCRS is actively fundraising and hopes to be able to organise transport in the future We did not receive applications for races in other large cities (ie Kisumu, Kericho, Nakuru) -
How are smaller, grassroots events that may not yet meet the criteria supported or considered for future inclusion?
The first thing is to be active and communicate your event to KCRS volunteers Hold a successful event, and create a race video if possible Other ideas include: Post your results to Kenya Cycling Facebook page, Demonstrate a commitment to safety and race organisation, Demonstrate a commitment to promoting to U23 and female riders
We encourage individual race organisers in the areas without races to start and promote their races and we will heavily consider them! -
Affordability How was affordability evaluated, and what steps are being taken to balance affordability with quality?
The goal is to have races 2500ksh or less -
Are there sponsorships or subsidies available for riders or teams with limited budgets? All sponsorships are up to the individual riders and teams! However, by publishing the Team Points in 2025, and Individual Rider points, we are creating a forum from which individuals and teams can market their own success to their sponsors.
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How do I improve my own or my team’s standings?
Get on your Bikes and Ride! We look forward to seeing you at the events!! The best avenue for feedback is to attend the races yourself. The best way to improve your standing is to put in the hours of training so that you are fit enough to compete!
ABOUT THE KENYA CYCLING RACE SERIES
The Kenya Cycling Race Series is your premier destination for everything related to cycling competitions in Kenya. We aim to keep cycling enthusiasts informed with the latest race standings, event schedules, and insights from the cycling community. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of cycling across the beautiful landscapes of Kenya.