This section presents numerous clever ways to really make the most of your Roc d'Azur.
Alain Bianchi, the Roc d’Azur’s race director, is the first to share his good ideas with us. He also gives us some advice about gear and the choice of races for mountain bike fans.
Which is the most appropriate race for a fan, who has never gone in for competitive sports and who only very rarely goes mountain biking?
We’re lucky with the Roc d’Azur to have several styles of courses for different styles of practices. We have courses for competition, as well as courses designed for those who practice mountain biking in a gentler manner and who want to take their time racing. As such, on Saturday we offer long distance courses which range from 22 to 50 km. These courses are not timed. They are genuine course for mountain bike fans with the same refreshment points and other assistance as those of the more experienced racers. As such you can participate in these ‘randonnées’ courses at your own pace, with family or with friends.
Can a person who is registered for one randonnée course also register for the Roc on Sunday?
Yes, no problem. In fact this is done increasingly often. People really want to benefit as much as possible from their weekend and don’t hesitate to register for several races. Indeed to fulfil this need, we offer a package to participate in three events during the week. Several people start on Friday with the Master or the Mid Roc and end on the Sunday with the Roc.
As regards gear, what would you recommend for a person who decides to participate in their first Rando Roc?
The best thing for someone who is confirmed, but doesn’t necessarily compete, is to use a “full suspension” bicycle. It’s a really appropriate bicycle in terms of comfort, as it has a front and rear suspension to cushion the impact. Nevertheless, you can also do the Roc with a semi-rigid as the courses are not bike-breaking. With us there aren’t a lot of rocks, it’s sandy above all. There is also a lot of earth.
Is it possible to hire bikes on site?
Yes, of course. We have a rental company on the Roc site. However, I would like to say to people that they should come with their helmet. Helmet wearing is compulsory whether it be for the randonnées long distance courses or for the competition. A fall can occur quickly so you have to be careful. People shouldn’t think twice about stopping at the refreshment points to eat and rest a little. It’s important.
Contact If you haven’t found the answer to your question in the FAQ section, don’t hesitate to send us a message.
In this section you’ll find the solution to all your questions relating to the Roc, the registration, the registration confirmation, the results, accommodation on site...
Registration
How can you register for the Roc?
For this there are 3 methods at your disposal:
1. Via Internet: Registration section
2. Via mail: by filling in the entry form
3. Finally, on site (with additional charge on the price), according to the availability of places.
What do you have to do to obtain a registration form?
You will find the entry forms:
On simple request to:
Sportys
Inscription Roc d’Azur 2008
6 Avenue d'Eylau
75116 PARIS FRANCE
All persons who have already participated in the Roc d'Azur and correctly filled in the ‘contact’ file will automatically receive a registration form this year.
When will we receive the registration forms?
The registration forms will be sent at the start of May.
What are the deadlines for registering to participate in the Roc 2009?
You have until midnight on 4th October to register on the Internet: www.rocazur.com, and until 30th June on paper (according to the places available).
Can I register on the Internet if I don’t have a banker’s card?
Registration via Internet must be done via banker’s card. If you don’t have a banker’s card, you’ll have to wait until May when the registration forms are issued, sent on simple demand to:
Sportys
Inscription Roc d’Azur 2008
6 Avenue d'Eylau
75116 PARIS FRANCE
You may then make payment via cheque payable to Roc d'Azur, until midnight on 30th June 2009.
Have the registration fees increased?
No! And they haven’t increased for 10 years.
Why can’t you register for the Roc Pro at activeeurope.com?
EIn fact, solely paper registration is possible for this event so no registration via Internet is possible. The reasoning behind this is that certain competitors were registering for the Roc Pro, without satisfying the necessary conditions for participating in this event, namely, membership of a corporation (police, military...).
As such you will have to wait until May, and the publication of registration forms enabling you to register.
At what point do we receive a letter confirming participation in the Roc d'Azur, with our vest number?
Confirmations are made by email. After that, you can find it out on our Internet site, in the ‘registration’ section.
Under which circumstances is a medical certificate for non contraindication to the practice of competitive cycling dating back to within the past year compulsory?
This certificate is necessary for registration to all races and long distance randonnées courses, for all participants who don’t have a FFC, FFTRI or UFOLEP licence or are not members of a national federation affiliated to the UCI within the past year. FFCT members must all have a certificate. Beware, no medical certificate will be issued on site and no discharge will be accepted.
When are the results given out?
The evening of the day each race is held.
Races and courses
How do we work it so that all the members of my club set off in the same wave?
All you have to do, via a simple letter, is to give us your address and we’ll send you the number of forms you want.
How do we go about sending off the members of my club in the 1st wave?
First wave: the elite and priorities
a. The establishing of criteria which comprise
i. UCI ranking (world cup, World Championship)
ii. French Championship Ranking (which must take into account the top regional cyclists who qualify for the French championship)
iii. National championship ranking: Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany
iv. French Cup Ranking (top 50)
v. Roc d’Azur ranking from the past 2 editions: the top 300
vi. National teams
This is done in the knowledge that we must identify the top racers in order to have a first wave worthy of the Roc d’Azur.
Are the Roc d'Azur courses marked out all year round?
Sorry about your training, but the Roc courses are only marked out for the event.
The reason for this is that the courses pass through a lot of private land and therefore they’re closed to the public for the rest of the year.
Are there any new elements in relation to last year?
This year there are three new elements! The RANDO SUBARU ROC CHALLENGE, the ROC RUELLES DE ROC BRUNES and a new date for the MAXIM ROC DOWN on 3rd and 4th October.
Where are the race starts given?
All race starts take place at the “Nature Base”, between Fréjus-plage and St Aygulf, except for the Enduro which sets off from the Col de Valdingarde. Meet at the Col de Valdingarde from 0900 hrs for this timed downhill section.
On site
What do we do for accommodation? Can we camp on site?
All the information is once again available on our Internet site: http://www.rocazur.com/,in the “accommodation” section. Don’t forget the special rates (10% reduction) offered for the occasion at Pierre&Vacances: www.pierreetvacances.com
As regards camping, numerous campsites are listed around the waterside base of Fréjus. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Fréjus tourist office: www.frejus.fr/
Can we rent bycicles on the spot?
If you can't come with your own bycicles to the Roc, no worries! The Roc d'Azur has always a solution. Thanks to its partnership with VTT Loisirs www.vtt-loisirs.fr, you can directly rent bycicles on the spot.
2 different kind of bycicles are available.
VTT 1 :
Commencal R3 |
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20€/day if booked on VTT Loisirs website and 25 on the spot. |
VTT 2 :
Sunn Gordo Evo |
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30 €/j if booked on VTT Loisirs website and 35 on the spot. |
To book, please send to VTT Loisirs a cheque of 10 € specifying your contact details, how many bycicles, which size you want and which day you need them.
VTT loisirs Z.A. Pédebert
119, avenue des Tisserands
40150 SOORTS-HOSEGOR
Ph: 05.58.41.75.41
E-mail: denis@vtt-loisirs.fr
For more informations : www.vtt-loisirs.fr !
