RACING RULES
On this page, you will find the competition rules and guidelines.
Generally the rules
MTB Rally competitions are low-threshold events without a competitive atmosphere. Currently, we do not organize competitions at the level of the Finnish Championship or any other license-level competitions, so each competition refers directly to the rules maintained by the sports federation. Through the competition-specific rules, we aim to make the participation experience as enjoyable and fair as possible for both experienced enthusiasts and newcomers.
Series scoring
In Gravity and Crank Up Downhill series competitions, points are calculated for each competition as follows: 1st place 100p, 2nd place 90p, 3rd place 80p, 4th place 70p, 5th place 60p, 6th place 50p, 7th place 40p, 8th place 30p, 9th place 20p, 10th place 10p.
During season 2025 all races are individual races, so there are no series for 2025, but 2026 will include series again.
Track Marking
Competition tracks are marked with MTB Rally track tape between start and finish points. Participants must ride from one marking point to the next if the track is not entirely taped. A marking point is a location where the track tape is on both sides of the track. Clear shortcuts may result in a time penalty or disqualification.
Competition Classes
Check event-specific competition classes: The general MTB Rally competition classes include the Weekend Warriors class for men and women, suitable for new enthusiasts, the General class for men and women, Mini Shredders for under 10-year-olds, Rockets for under 14-year-olds, and Young Guns for under 18-year-olds. Young Guns classes ride the same tracks as the General classes, so they are also challenging. In addition to the above, there are of course Masters classes, where the youngest can compete in the same year they turn 40. Let's add decades as we get more enthusiasts over 50 years old.
Electric mountain bikes can participate in all classes if the competition does not have separate electric bike classes. In the Weekend Warriors class, all over 14-year-olds are allowed to compete, and there is no upper age limit. This is a good class option, for example, if a young person does not have much hobby experience before moving on to the Young Guns class, or vice versa, if they want to take it more casually.
Race numbers
Gravity and Crank Up Downhill series 2024 will have fixes race numbers for participants. Race numbers can booked via the profile. Number is needed to participate in the serier if you want to get series points, rider need to take care of the number and bring it to all events. Race number is not allowed to modify, cutted race number can lead to disqualification!
Gravity Cup
Gravity Cup is an enduro-style bike park competition series, where timed descents take place on downhill-oriented bike park trails and various variations of these trails. Lifts are used to ascend the trails, with anchor lifts being the most commonly used, and larger ski resorts may have gondola or chair lifts.
In competition performances, time is taken between the start and finish points of each trail, which are clearly marked and guided. The competition typically features 3-4 trails, and each participant must ride at least 2 separate runs on each trail.
Each competition trail allows for one additional run, allowing participants to try to improve one specific section's slowest time, as the two fastest section times are counted in the final results. The slowest of the three runs automatically falls outside of the scoring.
The competition trails for each event are announced on the event pages in advance, generally using the bike park's own trail names. Each trail in the competition has a clear starting point and color-coded (blue/red) or numbered trail sign, indicating which trails participants should ride. Trails for junior and weekend warriors classes are easier, while those for general classes are slightly more challenging.
Before the day's competition runs, free practice runs are conducted, allowing participants to familiarize themselves with the trails specific to their class, riding their bikes according to the day's schedule. There is enough time allocated for free practice so that each trail can be ridden leisurely approximately 2-3 times. The competition schedule is adjusted for each event, taking into account factors such as lift time and the number of participants. After practice runs, a competitor meeting is held before the actual competition runs. When heading to competition runs, participants pick up an active timing chip from the competition tent according to the day's schedule. The chip must be worn on the right wrist during the competition unless otherwise stated in the participant meeting.
Participants can choose the order in which they perform the competition trails. For example, they can start with trail number 3, as long as they remember the trails they have ridden. Each competition trail must generally be ridden twice. The correct number of runs is essential, and the order of runs does not matter. Many participants typically start with the most challenging trail, completing the maximum of 3 runs, allowing them to ride the remaining trails more relaxed when there is no longer any tension about upcoming runs.
After the competition runs, the timing chip is always returned to the competition office, where it is read. Sufficient section-specific runs produce the participant's competition result, which can be individually reviewed after the competition.
Participants must remember to return the timing chip to the event organizer, even if the run is left incomplete for any reason.
After the competition, there is an awards ceremony, after which the official event concludes. Results are available immediately after the competition on the MTB Rally web service.
To earn Gravity Cup series points, you need an MTB Rally profile, which will give you a fixed race number for the entire season. The profile is not mandatory if you are not interested in series points and final rankings!
Crank Up DH Cup (+ Jr.)
The Crank Up competition differs from the Gravity Cup in terms of the number of tracks. In these competitions, there is one track, and the competition format follows the official Downhill competition series driven at the SM / MM level. However, it is clearly a grassroots series in terms of both the difficulty level of the track and the participant categories. On the morning of the competition day, participants register at the competition office and receive, among other things, their race number, which must be attached to the bike before heading out for practice.
In the morning, there are free practice sessions where participants familiarize themselves with the competition track by riding their bikes. Before the lifts open in the morning, there is an opportunity to walk through the track because the lifts generally open only at 10:00 AM, so there is no need to be up too early. After free practice, there is a rider meeting to go over the schedule for the rest of the day. Following the rider meeting, there are free timed trials where each participant has 2 runs. If desired, participants can get a preview of their own speed compared to other class participants during the timed trials.
Timed trials start according to the class schedule; participants collect an active timing chip from the competition office at this point. The chip is placed on the right wrist, practically like a watch, but secured with a silicone/cloth strap. Timed trial results are available through a link on the event page, once the participant has had the timing chip read at the competition office after completing at least one timed run. After the timed trials, there is a short break, and then the actual competitions begin. Participants also leave for the competition tent according to the schedule, where the timing chip is activated for the actual competition runs.
For timed trials and competition runs, there is a starting judge at the beginning of the track. The judge releases a participant onto the track when information comes from the end of the track that it is clear. There can be a maximum of 2 participants on the track at the same time, with one already on the final straight when the next one starts. After the runs, the participant returns the timing chip to the competition tent and learns their best time. Class-specific competition results are actively announced as participants return timing chips.
The day concludes with an awards ceremony.
The Crank Up Downhill Cup series requires participant profiles, if you want to get series points, meaning each participant has a fixed race number throughout the summer season. Please note that Junior Crank Up DH Cup does not require a participant profile, and it also does not have a separate timed qualifying run!