I have a couple questions about the USCF cycling system and how it works. My background in athletics was as a NCAA endurance runner. I spent a great deal of time cycling and did the occasional race or triathalon, but never under USCF rules. Since graduation I haven't raced much, but I've increased my training to 50-80mile rides six days a week at a very solid pace.
The question I'm setting up is if someone were ready to compete at the professional level in say six months, is the category system the only way to climb into the professional circuit. Are there anything like qualifing standards to exempt the categories. I'm used to the track and field system where if your the best out there you take the cake no matter what category your in.
First off welcome aboard and good luck in all your endeavors.
The official word is ---
Requirements and Notes by Category: 5-4: Experience in 10 mass start races. 4-3: Need 20 points in any 12-month period; or experience in 25 qualifying races with a minimum of 10 top ten finishes. 30 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade 3 - 2: Need 25 points in any 12-month period 60 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade 2 - 1: Need 30 points in any 12-month period 60 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade Qualifying Road Races for each category Category Class.
As of 2004, all rider upgrades are handled electronically. When you are online with the USAC website, from your account you can request an upgrade. The request will be sent to the person responsible for your area and/or category. You will need to follow the instructions online and provide the information about your race experience and placings. If the administrator approves the upgrade, your account will be changed so that when you request a new license, the category will be changed.
Round 2 now that the official language is out of the way - Based on your finishes & the amount you race ou could jump up quickly in the system. They start awarding points in CAT4 races - but I think it might be possible (as most CAT 4 & 5 races are combined) to earn those points as a CAT 5 racer - thus after the 10 races you may actually be able to jump up to CAT 3. Caveat the race must be at least 25 miles long. The rulebook is here http://www.usacycling.org/rulebooks/2004_uscf_rulebook.pdf and the appropriate page is 172. Hope this helps
Originally posted by SLS Round 2 now that the official language is out of the way - Based on your finishes & the amount you race ou could jump up quickly in the system. They start awarding points in CAT4 races - but I think it might be possible (as most CAT 4 & 5 races are combined) to earn those points as a CAT 5 racer - thus after the 10 races you may actually be able to jump up to CAT 3. Caveat the race must be at least 25 miles long. The rulebook is here http://www.usacycling.org/rulebooks/2004_uscf_rulebook.pdf and the appropriate page is 172. Hope this helps
SLS- thank you, you've been more helpful than any other resource that I've tried. I appreciate that. Maybe by next summer I could be looking at some cat 3/cat 2 starts.
Originally posted by at_racing_2000 SLS- thank you, you've been more helpful than any other resource that I've tried. I appreciate that. Maybe by next summer I could be looking at some cat 3/cat 2 starts.
Not a problem - with luck who knows I may see you there.
