What is a cross-country course like, and what happens if a rider leaves it?
I · Intermediate · The cross-country race · 2 of 6A mix of forest tracks, fields, gravel and road with plenty of climbing and descending, of which no more than 15 per cent may be paved. A rider who leaves the course for any reason must come back in between the same two markers they left by, or the commissaires can disqualify them.
How it works
- The terrain: "road sections, forest tracks, fields and natural or gravel paths", with "significant amounts of climbing and descending".
- Paved roads: no more than 15 per cent of the course.
- Rideable: the whole course must be rideable even in difficult weather.
- Passing: "Extended single-track sections must have periodic passing sections."
- Arrows: black on white or yellow boards show the route. An X marks a wrong direction.
- Danger signs: one, two or three arrows pointing downwards, with three for a serious hazard needing great caution.
- Leaving the course: the rider "must return to the course between the same two course markers where he/she exited".
- Altering the course: a rider found to have altered the course is disqualified.
- Litter: riders must not pollute the venue. Where a drop zone is set up, they must use it.
- Course only: during events and official training only the riders may be on the course.
The glossary has cross-country, the singletrack and the berm.
Tricky cases
A rider slides off the track on a bend and rejoins a few metres further on. Is that allowed?
No. They must return between the same two course markers where they left, and the commissaires can disqualify a rider who does not.
Can a rider get off and run with the bike up a steep section?
Yes. Nothing in the rules read requires a rider to stay in the saddle. The course must be rideable, but the rider need not ride all of it.
What do three arrows pointing down mean?
A serious hazard that needs great caution. One arrow marks a potential danger and two a more dangerous one.
Can a rider move a rock out of their favourite line during training?
No. Anyone found to have altered the course is disqualified.
Why the rule exists
A course in open country cannot be fenced like a track, so the rule on rejoining does the job of a wall: nobody can gain by going wide or cutting a corner. The limit on tarmac keeps the race a test of riding off road.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Top-level Olympic-format races | The course marked out and protected for its entire length | UCI 4.2.028 |
| Marathon | Marked well enough to follow, with a sign every ten kilometres | UCI 4.2.004; UCI 4.2.028 |
| Eliminator | 500 to 1,000 metres, all rideable, narrow sections avoided | UCI 4.2.010 |
From the rule book
Union Cycliste Internationale, Cycling Regulations, Part 4: Mountain Bike Races (JCF edition 2025, amendments applying 1 January 2026), articles 4.1.022, 4.1.035 to 4.1.037 and 4.2.016 to 4.2.029. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 4 (PDF).