2M1. A points race is a rolling start scratch race in which sprints for points are held on certain laps as designated by the organizer, usually every five laps, but every 2 km for Elite Championships. In each sprint, the first four riders shall normally be awarded points in order of finish as follows: 5 points, 3 points, 2 points, 1 point. The number of points will be doubled on the final sprint.
2M2. The main group is the largest group on the track. If two or more groups are the same size, the leading group shall be the main group.
2M3. Gaining Laps. (a) A rider shall be considered to have lapped the main group upon reaching a position to take shelter behind the main group. (A rider or group of riders shall be considered to have taken shelter behind the main group when the distance between the last rider in the main group and the first rider of the overtaking group is less than 5 meters or 16 feet.) (b) Riders who break away continue to score points until they have lapped the main group. Once they have lapped the main group, they must sprint with this group to score additional points, even if they catch the group during a sprint lap. (c) If the riders are strung out so that no main group exists, the chief referee shall determine when a rider or group of riders has passed enough riders to be credited with having gained a lap. (d) Riders attempting to gain a lap may not accept assistance from riders who have lost contact with the back of the field. Riders attempting to gain a lap may work together, but no sacrifice of a rider's position to the advantage of another rider shall be allowed [loss of points or laps that have been illegally gained].
2M4. Losing Laps. (a) Riders who lose laps may sprint for points only after being absorbed by the main group prior to the beginning of the sprint lap. A rider may be considered to be absorbed when caught by the lead rider in the main group. Riders may win points regardless of how many laps they have lost. (b) A rider who gains a lap and then loses contact does not lose the lap until absorbed by the main group. (c) Riders who fall two or more laps behind and are considered to be out of contention may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Chief Referee.
2M5. Free Laps. (a) In case of mishap, the rider involved shall be given one or more free laps totaling nearest to 1300 meters per mishap. (b) In championship events, free laps may not be taken in the final 2000 meters of the race. An alternative to this rule may be used in non-championship events if announced in advance: free laps may be taken at any time, but a rider who does so will not be awarded any points in the next sprint.
2M6. Finish. (a) A points race ends when the leader completes the required distance. All other riders will finish on the same lap as the leader. Riders who have mishaps in the last 2000 meters shall retain the points and laps that they had at the time of the mishap relative to the main group. Other riders who fail to complete the race shall not be placed. (b) Laps gained shall take precedence over points in determining final placings. Points determine the final placings of riders who are equal on laps. When riders are tied on both laps and points, the number of first places in sprints shall be used to break the tie. If still tied, then the number of second places in sprints shall decide. If still tied, then the order of finish in the final sprint shall be used.
2M7. Stoppage. If rain or any other circumstance forces the race to be stopped after two-thirds of the distance has been covered, the results shall be final at the point of stoppage. Otherwise, the race shall be rerun according to the instructions of the Chief Referee.