Traces Nationales
The Trace Nationale is the “younger sister” of the Flèche Nationale.
The Trace is run parallel to the Flèche, on a shorter distance (at least 200 km), and with a possible overnight stop.
The Trace Nationale is patterned after the Trace Vélocio.
The purpose of the Trace is to choose a tourist route and to ride it in daytime hours.
A good team spirit is the key of success !
Teams can start and finish on the same day, or they can start on the day before the meeting, make an overnight stop, and arrive the next day.
Although it is shorter than the Flèche, and does not impose night riding, the Trace remains challenging, especially at Easter, when weather conditions are often rough, and we still lack training.
Upon arrival, the participants in both Flèche and Trace meet and celebrate together. Organizing a Trace at the same time as the Flèche brings more riders together, and makes the party even greater.
1. traces nationales rules
Rules for riders
1. There are 2 to 6 bikes per team.
2. All team members ride the whole distance (they don’t take turns).
3. Teams choose their start place. Their finish place has to be the meeting place.
4. Minimum distance 200 km, maximum distance 360 km.
5. Start is possible from the day before the meeting, 00h00 (can be later).
6. There is no minimal duration between start and finish.
7. During the Trace, the duration of the rest stops is not limited.
8. Deadline to arrive at the meeting is specified by each organizer.
9. Teams must show up at the meeting to hand their cards over to the organizer.
10. To be homologated, at least 2 bikes of the same team must finish.
11. A high-visibility vest must be worn at night or other low-light conditions.
12. Each rider receives a Trace card. A minimum of 3 controls, spaced at least 50 km apart, not including the start and finish controls, must be noted on the riders cards.
Rules for Organizers
1. Flèche Organizers (or their ACP Contact Person) must notify ACP that a Trace is going to be run at the same time as the Flèche.
2. Organizers print their own Trace cards (1 card per rider). Cards must be labelled with the words «homologated by Audax Club Parisien». Organizers must submit their model to ACP before printing.
3. Organizers must ensure that Rules for Riders are respected. At the finish of the event, they must make sure that the riders cards are properly completed, and all controls validated.
4. After the event, and no later than October 31, Organizers send their results to ACP. Please use the ACP results spreadsheet. Results include :
– Name of the Trace event ; Organizer (with ACP club code) ; Meeting place ; Meeting date
– For each team : Team name or number ; Name of team captain ; Start place ; Start date and local time ; Distance ridden (km)
– For each rider : name ; forename ; gender ; club (with ACP club code)
– Tandems and all special bikes
5. The Organizers (or their ACP Contact Person) must pay 1 € to ACP for each homologated rider. Payment will be made at the end of the year after receipt of the ACP annual invoice.
6. Organizers are free to set the registration fee, while maintaining moderate prices. Traces Nationales are a non-profit organization.
7. Organizers are fully responsible for their event. They must ensure that volunteers and participants are insured according to what is required by the sports law of their country, and, where required by law, make declarations (or applications for authorization) to the administrative authorities.
Homologations and Awards
The ACP issues 1 homologation number per rider. Homologation numbers are transmitted in electronic form to the Organizers (or their ACP Contact Person), at the end of the year.
The ACP prints 1 certificate per rider, with homologation number. Certificates are sent by post to the Organizers (or their ACP Contact Person), no later than early January of the following year.
Contact person
Luc COPPIN
40 avenue de Bourgogne
F-77270 VILLEPARISIS
luc.coppin@audax-club-parisien.com
The Audax Club Parisien reserves the right to amend or modify these Rules at any time.
2. Registration
Please register with the Trace Organizer in your country (check the list).
3. Traces Nationales Lists
Please see the List of Flèches Nationales, column E.
4. Traces Nationales Results