What it the Australasian Schools Cycling Cup (ASCC)?
The ASCC is a multi-discipline competitive cycling event which conducts the disciplines of:
Road Racing: Racing on closed circuit over designated distance. Riders start in a bunch with the winner being the 1st across the line over the distance.
Individual Time Trial: Riders race individually against the clock. The winner is the cyclist with the fastest time at the conclusion of the discipline.
Teams Time Trial: 4 riders compete a distance in formation. The team winning time is taken on the 3rd rider across the line.
Hill Climb: Time trial up hill. Riders set off individually with the winning time being the fastest time over the distance.
MTB Cross Country: Riders complete designated distance over a cross-country course, with the fastest time being the winning rider.
MTB Down Hill: Riders complete two courses and times are added. Winning times are the fastest accumulated time.
BMX: Riders start from a starting gate over a fast and technical course including jumps and turns. Heats and finals are conducted to arrive at a winner.

What are the age restrictions?
The event is currently restricted to secondary school students, who enter in the category of Junior (Years 7, 8 & 9) and Senior (Years 10, 11 & 12) in both male and female category.

This system is based on the Secondary School categories in Victoria. In states where the Secondary School system begins at Year 8, Junior will be yeas 8 & 9 and Senior will be years 10, 11 & 12.

Is it only for team entry?
The event is structured as a teams’ event, however, individual honours are awarded in each of the races. A school may enter a “team” of one. This means the competitor is unlikely to win the teams’ category but can still receive the honours in the events they compete in.

Why is it structured a “team” of one rather than just individual entry?
The ultimate aim of the event is to encourage schools to compete, so by entering through your school, even if it is only one person, it gives us the opportunity to communicate with the school and perhaps build some interest into the school and other participants.

What if a teacher cannot attend the event to supervise?
Students can still participate with the schools consent and the correct amount of parental/adult supervision. We ask that the nominated team manager carry a letter of consent from the school that they are representing.

Do students have to hold a cycling license to compete?
No, the event is covered by “novi” insurance meaning both licensed and unlicensed cyclist can compete without having to pay an additional insurance cost.

A student must indicate via the entry system where they are licensed for a cycling discipline – for example, they may be an experienced BMX rider and hold a licence. They must indicate this and they will compete in the licensed section, however they may want to try road racing for the first time and compete in the unlicensed area of this discipline.

Will experienced cyclists compete with novices?
In all events we have aimed to increase event enjoyment and safety by splitting the categories to the best of our ability. For example, while several road races may be conducted on the circuit, there will be split start times and separate officials for each category.

How can a novice cyclist assist the team to win the overall trophy?
The points system allows that even students who are not placed highly can gain points to the overall winning team. This means a larger team can gain more points, even if they finish lower than a small team that finished in the (eg) top 20 across all disciplines.

What’s a category and what’s a discipline?
Category refers the age group that a student competes in (eg Junior Male), while discipline is the type of event (eg. MTB Cross Country).

What costs are associated with competing?
There are entry fees and schools are responsible for their own travel/accommodation and meals, along with associate costs. Students are also responsible to bring their own cycling gear and equipment.

What gear would be required?
There are different gear restrictions for each discipline which is dictated by the governing body. Gear restrictions refer to the cycling equipment that you use, not the clothing you wear.

What about clothing?
We don’t place restrictions on clothing, unless it is regulation safety clothing (eg helmet, Down Hill body armour). It is up to the school to determine what type of clothing it will use. For schools interested in cycling clothing, our event partner 2XU has included details of its clothing options.

What’s a “roll-out”?
A roll out is for the road disciplines (Road, ITT, TTT, Hill Climb). It means that students must use a certain gear on their bike which is relevant to their age category. Students will be required to roll their gear out prior to competing in any road category and will receive a wrist band to show they have been “rolled out”.

What happens if I don’t understand the gearing?
We suggest that once the “Technical Regulations” are published you visit your local cycling club or bike shop which will be able to check bikes and assist you with any requirements. If you have trouble locating any one to assist, please email on info@schoolscyclingcup.com.au and we will assist you further.

What are Technical Regulations?
This is the event “bible” that will outline all of the information you require from rules and regulations, to event maps and daily activity schedules, etc. A copy of the Technical Regulations will be emailed to the nominated team manager once your school has signed up.

What are the courses like?
The road race and time trials are conducted on fully-closed circuits located in Dookie (25 km east of Shepparton). The MTB courses and Hill Climb is conducted at Mt Major on specifically designed and purpose built courses. The BMX will be conducted in Shepparton at the BMX track.

What is the insurance and risk management for the event?
The courses are all purpose built with marshalling, first intervention and qualified cycling officials in attendance. Road events are conducted on closed circuit.

Participants are covered by insurance provided by Cycling Australia (National governing body of cycling) and the promoter carries Public and Professional liability insurance.

What are the accommodation options in Shepparton?
Shepparton has a host of low cost accommodation options and these will be co-ordinated through the Tourist Centre. Once the full website is live you will be able to access information about the accommodation options and contact details.

How does a school enter?
Early registration will be available from October 2 where you may pre-register your school.

Full entries will be available on-line on January 28, 2010. You will firstly need to register a team by school name and chose a category. You will then need to give details for the team manager who will receive all of the information on behalf of the team.
Once you have created your team log in, you can enter details of individual students and the disciplines they would like to enter. Once you are sure you have finalised your entries, you can proceed to check out and will be prompted for payment by credit card, or you can generate an invoice for the school.

Entries will close at 5.00 pm on Friday March 19, so you will be required to have your team details finalised and paid by then.

Why do entries close earlier?
We then generate start lists, so students are aware when they need to be at each event. Start lists will be emailed to team managers on Monday morning (22nd) and will be available in hard copy at the event.

What are the prizes?
Three placegetters in all disciplines and each category receive a medal, with the winner receiving a presentation jersey (in 2010 these will be commemorative Road World Championship jerseys). The overall winning schools in each category receive the “Peter Bartels Perpetual Trophy” to display for a year.

How do I get my school into cycling?
There are many ways to get into cycling and it is dependent on your school’s needs. If you would like assistance or advice, please email info@schoolscyclingcup.com.au and we will be able to point you in the right direction given your location and the experience level of your school.