Where can a mountain biker take a bottle or get a puncture fixed during a race?
I · Intermediate · The cross-country race · 3 of 6Only in the feed and technical assistance zones. There a helper may hand up bottles and food, and any part of the bike except the frame may be repaired or replaced. The whole bike may not be swapped. Outside the zones a rider can be helped only by a team-mate who is in the race.
How it works
- One zone, two jobs: "Feeding is permitted only in the zones designated for that purpose, which are also used as technical assistance zones."
- Where they are: on flat or uphill sections that are slow and wide enough. An Olympic-format race has at least one, and a marathon at least three.
- By hand: bottles and food "must be passed up to the rider by hand". The helper may not run alongside.
- No spraying: helpers may not spray water on riders or bikes.
- Glasses: eyewear may be changed only in the zones.
- Repairs: "repairs to or the replacement of any part of the bicycle other than the frame".
- No bike change: the rider must finish with the same handlebar number plate they started with.
- Who can do the repair: the rider, a team-mate, a team mechanic or neutral technical assistance.
- Outside the zones: help only between riders of the same registered team or national team. Riders may carry tools and spares.
- No turning back: a rider who rides back along the course to reach a zone is disqualified. Inside the zone a rider may turn back without obstructing others.
- Contact: physical contact between helpers and riders is allowed only in the zones.
The glossary has the feed and technical assistance zone and cross-country.
Tricky cases
A rider punctures a few metres past the zone. Can they turn round and ride back to it?
No. Turning back on the course to reach a zone means disqualification. They must fix it themselves, get help from a team-mate in the race or ride on to the next zone.
Can a rider swap to a spare bike after a crash?
No. Bike changes are not permitted. Any part other than the frame can be replaced in the zone.
Can a team-mate give up their wheel out on the course?
Yes, if both are in the same registered team or national team. At the world championships only riders of the same national team may help each other.
Can a helper run beside the rider to pass a bottle?
No. The bottle is passed up by hand and the helper may not run alongside.
Why the rule exists
Mountain biking began with the idea that a rider should be self-sufficient, and the rule keeps part of that: the frame that starts must finish, and a puncture far from the zone is the rider's problem. Confining help to marked zones also makes it something officials can watch.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic format | At least one zone a lap. Double zones are recommended | UCI 4.2.036 |
| Marathon | At least three zones | UCI 4.2.036 |
| Team relay | The zone may be used for technical support only, with no feeding | UCI 4.2.036 |
| Enduro | One frame, fork and pair of wheels, marked before the start | UCI 4.5.003 |
From the rule book
Union Cycliste Internationale, Cycling Regulations, Part 4: Mountain Bike Races (JCF edition 2025, amendments applying 1 January 2026), articles 4.2.035 to 4.2.049. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 4 (PDF).