DESCRIPTION: 8th TOUR OF JAPAN

ORGANIZERS: Cycle Month Promotion Council

The Asahi Shimbun

The Nikkan Sports News

TV Asahi

SUPERVISOR: Tour of Japan Organizing Committee

(Secretariat: Bicycling Popularization Association of Japan)

RACE SUPERVISOR: Japan Cycling Federation

SUPPORTED BY: Cabinet Office

Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Post and Telecommunications

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Ministry of Environment

Japan Keirin Association

COOPERATION: Todaiji Temple, Japan Cycle Sports Center, Twin Ring Motegi

RACE SCHEDULE:

May 22(Sat) Licence Control (Hotel Nankai Sakai)12:00-13:30

Managers' Meeting (Hotel Nankai Sakai)14:00-16:00

1st Stage May 23(Sun) Osaka Stage Start at 12:00

2nd Stage May 24(Mon) Nara Stage Start at 9:00

May 25(Tue) Traveling day

3rd Stage May 26(Wed) Shuzenji Stage Start at 11:00

May 27(Thu) Traveling day

4th Stage May 28(Fri) Motegi Stage Start at 9:30

5th Stage May 29(Sat) Utsunomiya Stage Start at 10:00

6th Stage May 30(Sun) Tokyo Stage Start at 11:00

STAGE DISTANCES:

Stage Course Distance

1. Osaka Stage Nippon Steel Corpration Sakai Works Circuit Couse 96.80km

2. Nara Stage Todaiji Temple to Nunome Dam Circuit Course 146.20km

3. Shuzenji Stage Japan Cycle Sports Center Circuit Course 120.00km

4. Motegi Stage Twin Ring Motegi Circuit Course 148.56km

5. Utsunomiya Stage Utsunomiya Forest Park Circuit Course 154.50km

6. Tokyo Stage Hibiya to Ohi Wharf Circuit Course 149.10km

Total 815.16km

PARTICIPATING TEAMS:16teams (8 Overseas, 8 Japanese)

　Trade Teams(5teams): JET FUEL COFFEE(Canada), GIANT ASIA RACING TEAM(Chinese Taipei), TEAM MACANDINA(Switzerland), TEAM FUJI BIKES-Rd4(Netherlands), VC FRANKFURT-RADTEAM-BRUEGELMAN (Germany)

　National Teams(3teams): AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG, CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

　Japanese Trade Team(3teams): SHIMANO RACING, Team NIPPO, TEAM BRIDGESTONE ANCHOR

　Japanese Team(5teams): AISAN-IND RACING TEAM, miyata-SUBARU Racing Team, SUMITA RAVANELLO PEARLIZUMI, KINAN CCD, Team ORBEA ETXEONDO

TEAM COMPOSITION: 6 riders, 1 team manager, 2 attendants.

RACE REGULATIONS: UCI regulations and the specific regulations of this race will be applied.

TV BROADCAST: The TV Asahi (ANB) & (ABC) will broadcast a Tour digest special 2004.

Awards the Rider who finishes the race in the shortest time. The time will be determined by adding or subtracting the bonus/penalty time to/from the running time of the all stages.

The winner will be given the Leader's Jersey, the Cup and a supplementary Prize.

In case of equal standing, precedence shall be determined by adding the rider's positions in each stage and, if necessary, according to his position in the last stage.

GENERAL INDIVIDUAL POINTS CLASSIFICATION

Points will be given to the top 5 riders of each stage (1st: 5 points, 2nd: 4 points, 3rd: 3points, 4th: 2 points, 5th: 1 point).

The Leader's Jersey, a trophy, and a supplementary prize will be awarded to the rider with the most points at the end of the Tour.

In the case of two or more riders with identical total points, priority will be given to the rider who was awarded higher points more often and if necessary, according to the General Indivisual Time Classification.

GENERAL INDIVIDUAL BEST CLIMBER CLASSIFICATION

Points will be given to the first 3 riders who cross the summit on specified laps (1st: 5 points, 2nd: 2 points, 3rd: 1 point).

The Leader's Jersey, a trophy, and a supplementary prize will be awarded to the rider with most Summit points.

In the case of two or more riders with identical Summit points, priority will be given to the rider who was awarded higher Summit points more often and if necessary, according to the General Individual Time Classification.

Best Climber Stage Laps:

2nd Stage (Nara): The 9th, 6th and 3rd lap to the finish.

3rd Stage (Shuzenji): The 12th, 8th and 4th lap to the finish.

5th Stage (Utsunomiya): The 12th, 8th and 4th lap to the finish.

GENERAL INDIVIDUAL SPRINT CLASSIFICATION

Points will be given to the first 3 riders who cross the finish line on specified Sprint laps (1st: 5 points, 2nd: 2 points, 3rd: 1 point).

The Leader's Jersey, a trophy, and a supplementary prize will be awarded to the rider with most Sprint points.

In the case of two or more riders with identical Sprint points, priority will be given to the rider who was awarded higher Sprint points more often and, if necessary, according to the General Individual Time Classification.

Sprint Stage Laps:

1st Stage (Osaka): The 9th, 6th and 3rd lap to the finish.

4th Stage (Motegi): The 9th, 6th and 3rd lap to the finish.

6th Stage (Tokyo): The 8th, 5th and 2nd lap to the finish.

GENERAL TEAM TIME CLASSIFICATION

The daily times of each team's top 3 riders will be added; the team with the best total time will be awarded.

A trophy and supplementary prizes will be given to the No. 1 team.

[STAGE PRIZES]

After each stage, Leader's Jerseys will be given to the riders with best General Individual Time, most General Individual Points, most General Individual Climber Points, and most General Individual Sprint Points.

The No. 1 finishing rider of each stage will also be awarded.

1 All riders may render each other such minor services as lending or exchanging food, drink, spanners or accessories.

2 The lending or exchanging of wheels or bicycles, or waiting for a rider who has been injured or dropped behind, shall be permitted only amongst riders of the same team.

3 Riders may receive breakdown assistance from the technical staff of their team or from that of one of the neutral assistance vehicles (car or motorcycles) provided by the organizer, or even from another team's mehchanic, if necessary.

4 Whatever the position of a rider in the race is, he may receive such assistance only to the rear of his bunch and when stationary. The greasing of chains from a moving vehicle shall be forbidden.

5 No equipment for riders may be prepared or held ready outside a techinical vehicle. Persons riding in vehicles shall stay inside and not reach or lean out.

ARTICLE 5-TEAM CARS:

1 One team car for each team, which is provided by the organizer, may follow the race and no other car are

allowed to be used. The team manager will be responsible for team car and it's the team manager or a team staff who will drive the team car during the race. Outside the race, only the person, who is designated by the organizer, will be in charge of the team car and will drive it.

2 The order of vehicles is determined by the General Individual Classification, the race leader's team car being in first position and so on. For the first stage, the vehicles order will be determined by drawing lots at the Manager's Meeting.

3 In the race, team cars must keep to the left side of the road and keep their own position following the Commissaire's car. They shall, in all circumstances, comply with the instructions given by the Commissaires, according to the current UCI regulations.

ARTICLE 6-REFRESHMENTS:

1 In the stages, refreshments (bonk-bags and feeding bottles) shall be distributed only in the refreshment areas. No supplies shall be distributed from team cars.

2 Refreshment areas are clearly identified and indicated by signposts showing the beginning and the end of the area.

3 Refreshments shall be distributed on foot by accredited staff accompanying the team and by nobodyelse.

4 No vehicle will be allowed to park on the roadside in the refreshment area.

5 For each stage, supplies shall be allowed in the following areas.

ARTICLE 7-DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE:

1 Any rider dropping out of the race must take place in the sag wagon.

2 Riders who are injured or sick will be assisted by an ambulance of the Race's Medical Service.

ARTICLE 8-TEAM DUTIES:

The teams must not help each other. Any particular assistance from a team member or from all the team provided to another team's member, even without the cost of his own chance, is forbidden.It will be strictly penalized, except in the case provided by Article 4-3 (breakdown assistance by another team's mechanic).

ARTICLE 9-JERSEYS:

1 Riders shall wear only their Federation, Club or Team's jerseys. The World Champion, the Continental Champions and the current National Champions shall wear their official jerseys.

2 The General Individual Classification, Points Classification,Best Climber Classification and Sprint Classification's leaders shall wear the corresponding leader jerseys as provided by the Organaizer.

3 If the Points, the Best Climber or the Sprint Classification's leader is also the General individual Classification's leader, the jerseys of these classifications will be worn by the seconds or the following riders,the priority order being:

- General individual Time Classification's jersey

- General individual Points Classification's jersey

- General individual Best Classification's jersey

- General individual Sprint Classification's jersey

ARTICLE 10-RACE OFFICIALS:

The conduct of the race will be under the control of the College of Commissaires and race officials appointed by the UCI and JCF.

The main OFFICIALS in charge of the General Organization of the race are:

- Committee Chairman

- Vice-Committee Chairman

- Race Manager

- Technical and Sport Services Manager

ARTICLE 11-RIDER'S IDENTIFICATION:

Riders shall affix to the front of their bicycle frame a frame number and wear two body numbers (small size) placed on their hips, on the right and on the left side. Any alteration of an official body or frame number is forbidden.

ARTICLE 12-TIMEKEEPING:

1 All times recorded by the timekeeper shall be rounded down to the nearest second.

2 All riders in a given bunch shall be credited with the same time when they cross the finishing line. A new time is recorded when there is a break of at least one second in a bunch.

ARTICLE 13-FINISH:

1 A sign (red triangle) indicates the "1km to finish" point. A second signpost is placed further to indicate the last 500 meters,300 meters,200meters,150meters,100meters,and 50meters. The finishing lines of the stages are indicated by a gate or a streamer placed just above and/or by a black and white checkered flag waved by an Official.

2 In case of a crash, bicycle breaking or tire puncture in the last kilometer, the time recorded for the riders affected will be the same as for the last rider of the bunch in which they were at this time, and they will be cassified at the last place(s) of the stage.

ARTICLE 14-TIME LIMITS:

1 The finishing time limit is the winner's time plus 15% for the Shuzenji stage and the Utsunomiya stage, and plus 10% for the other stages. The Commissaires' Jury, after taking advice from the General Manager of the Organization, may extend this limit according to weather conditions or others, or may let through one or several riders.

2 Any rider who finished after the time limit and who has not been let through will be disqualified and will not be allowed to start on the next day, as well as any rider having abandoned the race.

3 Any rider or bunch who has been lapped may be stopped by the Chief Race Commissaires, and the time recorded will be that of the last rider finishing the stage with the added penalties suited to the circum stances.

ARTICLE 15-CLASSIFICATIONS:

1 Besides the individual classification of each stage, there are 5 different general classifications in the race:

(1) General Individual Time Classification

(2) General Individual Points Classification

(3) General Individual Best Climber Classification

(4) General Individual Sprint Classification

(5) General Team Time Classification

2 To be qualified for the above-mentioned awards (1), (2), (3) and (4), a competitor must finish all the stages designated for each classification.

ARTICLE 16-GENERAL INDIVIDUAL TIME CLASSIFICATION:

The General Individual Time Classification is established by adding the times recorded in each stage and considering the possible bonus and time penalties.

In case of equal standing, precedence shall be awarded by adding the rider's positions in each stage and, if necessary, according to his position in the last stage.

ARTICLE 17-GENERAL INDIVIDUAL POINTS CLASSIFICATION:

The General Individual Points Classification is established by adding points awarded in the individual classifications of the stages, considering also the possible point penalties. In each stage, the following points are awarded to the 5 first riders, respectively:

5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points.

In case the total points for more than one rider are equal, the ranking shall be determined according to the number of higher points and, if necessary, according to the General Individual Time Classification.

ARTICLE 18-GENERAL INDIVIDUAL BEST CLIMBER CLASSIFICATION:

The General Individual Best Climber Classification is established by adding the points awarded in the hills considered for this classification, at the laps indicated hereafter according to the following scale: 1st: 5 points 2nd: 2 points 3rd: 1 point

The Best Climber Classifications are indicated by specific signposts. They are located as follows:

In case the total points for more than one rider are equal, the ranking shall be determined according to the number of higher points and, if necessary, according to the General Individual Time Classification.

ARTICLE 19-GENERAL INDIVIDUAL SPRINT CLASSIFICATIONS:

There will be intermediate sprints on the finishing line at certain stages and laps indicated hereafter:

Points awarded for each sprints classification are respectively:

5, 2 and 1 point are awarded to the 3 first riders.

In case the total points for more than one rider are equal, the ranking shall be determined according to the number of higher points and,if necessary,according to the General Indivisual Time Classification.

ARTICLE 20-GENERAL TIME TEAM CLASSIFICATION:

The General Time Team Classification will be decided by adding the three best times of each team at

each stage including bonus times and penalty times. The team with the best time will be placed first and

so on. In the General Classification, in case of equal standing, precedence shall be awarded to the teams recording the greatest number of 1st places in the stages, classifications and eventually of 2nd and 3rd places.

ARTICLE 21-TIME BONUSES:

Time bonuses are awarded at the finish of the Osaka, Motegi and Tokyo stages on the following

conditions:

Finish: respectively, 10 seconds, 6 seconds and 4 seconds for the 3 first riders

ARTICLE 22-PENALTIES:

Any penalties which may be imposed by the College of Commissaires will be as stated in the Scale of Penalties in the UCI Regulations.

ARTICLE 23-ANTI-DOPING:

Anti-Doping controls will be carried out according to the UCI Anti-Doping Regulations.

ARTICLE 24-AWARD CEREMONIES:

1 The official ceremonies will be held soon after the finish of each stage. The first placed competitors of each section, the General Time Classification, the General Point Classification, the General Best Climber Classification and the General Sprint Classfication will be awarded and the leader's jerseys defined in Article 9, Point 2 will be presented to the first placed competitors in the General Classifications.

2 The riders concerned will be informed directly and must be present.

3 Any prizewinner who refuses to take part, wearing his racing attire, in an Award Ceremony may be penalized

ARTICLE 25-AWARDS:

1 The awards corresponding to the different Classifications of the Race are listed and appended to these regulations

2 Any competitor whose anti-doping test results prove to be positive will be disqualified from the race and no award shall be presented after the date of the test.

ARTICLE 26-MISCELLANEOUS:

1 Riders are recommended to wear a hard shell helmet meeting a standard agreed by the UCI.

2 The two Official Languages used for all communications during the race will be JAPANESE and ENGLISH.

3 Competitors, managers and other team staff in each team participating in this event must respect these Specific Regulations and the UCI Regulations.