Competition Info

Participation & Classes

  • Competitors participate at their own risk. Third-party insurance and personal injury insurance is mandatory and shall be the responsibility of their federation or themselves, according to national regulations.
  • All competitors must have a valid passport of the country they are representing.
   World MTBO Championships:
  • There is one class for women (WE) and one for men (ME). There are no age restrictions.
  • In the Mass start, Middle distance and the Sprint every Federation may enter a maximum of 6 riders in each class and, in addition, the current World Champions for the distance may be entered by their Federation(s).
  • For the Long distance competition, the number of competitors who may enter is limited. The qualification rules are explained in the Procedure for allocating WMTBOC long distance start slots, see here.
  • In the relay, each Federation may enter up to 2 women’s teams and 2 men’s teams each consisting of 3 riders. Only the team with the best result is considered in determining the placings.
  • Each competitor must have a valid IOF Athlete License.
   Junior World MTBO Championships:
  • There is one class for women (W20) and one for men (M20). Only competitors who are no more than 20 years old on 31 December 2020 are entitled to compete in the classes W20 or M20.
  • For each individual competition, a Federation may enter a maximum of 6 competitors in each class.
  • In the relay, each Federation may enter up to 2 women’s teams and 2 men’s teams each consisting of 3 riders. If a Federation is represented by two teams in a relay class, only the team with the better result is considered in determining the placings.
   European Youth MTBO Championships:
  • Competitors representing member Federations of the IOF, defined by the International Olympic Committee as belonging to the European continent, can compete in EYMTBOC. Competitors representing other member Federations of the IOF can participate in EYMTBOC but will not be eligible for European titles, medals or diplomas.
  • There is one class for women (W17) and one for men (M17). Only competitors who are no more than 17 years old on 31 December 2020 are entitled to compete in the classes W17 or M17.
  • For each individual competition, a Federation may enter a maximum of 6 competitors in each class. The organising Federation may have two additional competitors as official EYMTBOC competitors in the individual competitions. These competitors shall start in the lowest-ranked start group.
  • A Federation may enter 2 teams in the Relay. If a Federation is represented by two teams in a relay class, only the team with the better result is considered in determining the placings.
   OPEN classes:

   There are 4 classes:

  • Easy short and Easy long
  • Difficult short and Difficult long

   For the mixed relay: Popular (3 athletes)

Maps

The maps for the competition will be new and updated.
Old maps: Faro | Loulé | Quinta do Lago | Salir

Scale and contour intervals predictions:

CompetitionScaleContour interval
Sprint1/5.0005m
Middle Distance1/10.0005m
Long Distance1/15.0005m
Mass Start1/15.0005m
Relay1/7.5005m

Terrain Description

SprintMixed urban and forest, medium-low relief and great density of paths
Middle DistanceMediterranean forest with medium-high relief
Long Distance and Mass startMixed pine forest and urban park area. Low relief and great density of paths, some of them, sandy
RelayUrban and forest with a great density of paths and medium relief

Competition Rules

All events will be organized in accordance with the Competition Rules for IOF MTB Orienteering Events’ as published by the IOF, the Special Rules for the World Cup in MTB Orienteering and the IOF Anti-Doping Rules valid at the time of the Event. IOF MTB Orienteering Competition rules are available on www.orienteering.sport.

Summary of the most important rules:

  • Riding off the track, trail or path is allowed in areas marked as forest or freely rideable open area. Off-road riding is strictly prohibited in all other areas, including settlements, cultivated land, orchards, vineyards and all other open areas not marked as rideable. Competitors riding off-road in restricted areas are responsible for any damage claimed by the landowners and will be disqualified.
  • In Portugal, one drives on the RIGHT side of the road.
  • Therefore riders must ride on the RIGHT side on all roads and tracks.
  • Overtaking slower riders should be done by the LEFT.

Courses and Distances

To be published further in time

Training Opportunities

19 and 20 September 2020 – III Ori BTT da ADM. Information and entries here.

Anti Doping

Doping is strictly forbidden, and the organizers of World Cup MTBO & WMTBOC, JWMTBOC, and EYMTBOC are dedicated to supporting the anti-doping authorities in their work.
Doping controls may be carried out any time during the competition period. As some sites for the doping controls may be a few minutes’ drive away, we suggest that athletes are prepared at all events to take along some dry clothes to change into after their race.
Doping tests are always carried out in accordance with the procedures described in the WADA International Standard of testing. The IOF Anti-Doping Code and rules apply as of 1st January 2015.
Athletes who are selected for the doping tests must bring an official identification (with photo) to the doping test area.
Accreditation cards with photo can also be used for this purpose. The athlete should also bring along their therapeutic use exemption (TUE) if applicable. In general, it is advisable that the athletes bring along their ID to all the competitions and events.
Please check this link for more information https://orienteering.sport/iof/anti-doping/

Time Keeping System

SPORTident Air+ (range: 1,5m) will be used on all events with SI-Card and compatible Control Stations.
SI cards can be rented from Organizers for €15 / for the event (€80 deposit).

Embargoed Areas

Embargoed Areas from May 2019 till 8 October 2020
The areas marked on the map are embargoed for all orienteering activities unless specifically
permitted by the organiser. The embargoed areas are out of bounds for all potential
participants and team members, including competitors, team leaders, coaches, doctors,
escorts, and any other person with a potential connection to a team (athletes or others). This
means that all potential participants and team members are not allowed to visit these areas
with or without a map at all, regardless of whether it is an orienteering activity or a training
session, a walk with the dog or a leisurely Sunday stroll.
Loulé city centre may be visited on foot or by car without an orienteering map; any orienteering
or MTBO activity, cycling, running, using a map or testing route choices are forbidden.
Please check the embargoed areas in the map below.