2008 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championship information

April 11, 2008

Dear USA Cycling Member,

Now that the 2008 competitive cycling season is in full swing, I know many of you are already thinking about this season’s USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships.  Scheduled for June 30 – July 6 in Louisville, Ky., this year’s edition will once again crown national champions in time trial, road race, criterium and tandem events.

Based on valuable feedback from our members, USA Cycling has implemented several changes in order to create a better experience for our masters athletes.  Some of these changes include the elimination of field size limits and the addition of qualifying heats if necessary, the implementation of on-site registration and race-day packet pick-up, a refund option in case your plans change, and an escalating registration fee structure.

The following guidelines provide all of you with the information you need to experience an enjoyable and successful event.  Please take a moment to read the below eligibility requirements, registration guidelines and general rules.

In the next few weeks, USA Cycling will publish a daily event schedule, host hotel information, course maps and profiles and additional information pertaining to the 2008 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships.  Should you have any further questions related to the event, please don’t hesitate to contact the National Events Department of USA Cycling at 719-866-4581 or e-mail USA Cycling National Events Manager Tom Vinson at tvinson@usacycling.org.

Good luck in 2008 and I hope to see you in Louisville!

Yours in Cycling,

Steve Johnson

CEO, USA Cycling

ELIGIBILITY, RULES & REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

1.       ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE A CURRENT & VALID USA CYCLING LICENSE WITH THE PROPER CATEGORY AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. Only riders who have a current and valid USA Cycling license will be allowed to register. Riders must also be licensed for the category in which they are attempting to register. If you do not have a current and valid USA Cycling license, the easiest way to obtain one is via the USA Cycling website at www.usacycling.org. You may purchase, renew and/or request a category upgrade online on your My USA Cycling page.  

1.       At the time of registration, all participants in the USA Cycling Master Road National Championships MUST meet the minimum required category for the respective races according to the 2008 USA Cycling Rulebook. Riders attempting to register for a race without having the required category will be removed from the registration list with no refund provided.

2.       All participants in the USA Cycling Master Road National Championships MUST be either a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

3.       All participants in the USA Cycling Master Road National Championships MUST have a racing age of 30 or over. Riders with a racing age of 30 or over who hold Elite status per USA Cycling rules may NOT compete in the USA Cycling Master Road National Championships. This includes riders who:

·         Are, or have been, members of a UCI-sanctioned team of any type in the calendar year of the championship.

·         Have competed in the Elite category of an Olympic Games, UCI World Championship, Pan American Games, Continental Championships or World Cup in the discipline of the championship during the same calendar year.

·         For more information on eligibility, click here.

4.       All participants MUST race in the current age class as shown on their 2008 USA Cycling license. Riders MAY NOT race up or down in racing age class.

1.       PARTICPANTS MAY ONLY REGISTER ONE START SPOT PER ATHLETE. Riders are allowed to register one start spot per athlete, per race. Start spots are not allowed to be held, sold or otherwise transferred to other riders at a later time.

2.       REGISTRATION FOR THE 2008 USA CYCLING MASTER ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL OPEN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE EVENT. Online registration for the 2008 edition will open at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 29 at www.sportsbaseonline.com. Please note: In 2008 USA Cycling has introduced an open registration process with NO MAXIMUM FIELD SIZE LIMIT and the option of running heats if warranted by the number of registrants. The determination of whether or not heats are necessary will be made by USA Cycling officials following the close of online registration and all affected participants will be notified by e-mail. Online registration will close at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 24.

3.       In an attempt to encourage members to register for the event early, USA Cycling has implemented a LATE ONLINE REGISTRATION period. The late online registration period will begin two weeks prior to the close of online registration at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 10 Members who register online after this time will incur an additional $25.00 late registration fee PER RACE in addition to the original registration fee.

4.       Also, in an attempt to allow as many competitors as possible to register for the event, USA Cycling will also allow late on-site registration. Participants may register for the 2008 USA Cycling Master Road National Championships up until one day prior to their respective race. All on-site registration must be completed by the close of registration the day BEFORE your race. Please note: All on-site registrants will incur a 100% increase in the original registration fee.

5.       USA Cycling will accommodate refund requests up until two weeks prior to the opening of on-site registration. Refunds will no longer be considered after 12:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 15. All refunds are subject to a 20% processing fee.

 

6.       Packet Pick-up/On-site Registration will be available every day throughout the event at the host hotel. There will be specific times designated each day. USA Cycling encourages participants to pick up their race packets during these times. In order to pick up your packet, you MUST present your valid USA Cycling license at packet pick-up/registration. Additional on-site packet pick-up will be available at the start line each day, subject to a $20.00 late fee.

Wed. April 29 (12:00 p.m. EDT): Online Registration Opens at www.sportsbaseonline.com

Tues. June 10 (12:00 p.m. EDT): Late Online Registration Period Begins ($25 late fee charged)

Sun. June 15 (12:00 p.m. EDT): Refunds No Longer Granted

Tues. June 24 (12:00 p.m. EDT): Online Registration Closes

Sun. June 29: On-Site Registration Begins (100% increase in registration fee)

1.       NEW FOR 2008 USA CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: For all National Championships for riders ages 17 and up (i.e., junior 17-18, U23, elite, and masters), all bikes must be UCI legal. For any questions regarding bike measurements please refer to the UCI rule book at www.uci.ch.

2.       Individual Time Trials are open to ALL categories – men’s categories 1-5 and women’s categories 1-4.

3.       ROAD RACE RULES: For master men’s age groups 30-54, riders MUST be Category-3 or higher. For age groups 55 and above, there are no category requirements.

For master women’s age groups 30-44, riders MUST be Category-3 or higher. For age groups 45 and above, there are no category requirements.

 

4.       CRITERIUM RULES: For master men’s age groups 30-54, riders MUST be Category-3 or higher. For age groups 55 and above, there are no category requirements.

For master women’s age groups 30-44, riders MUST be Category-3 or higher. For age groups 45 and above, there are no category requirements.

5.       TANDEM ROAD RACES: Tandem Road National Championships shall be conducted over a distance of 60-90 kilometers for men’s, women’s and mixed teams whose ages’ sum falls into the following categories: 70+, 90+ and 110+. The one who steers MUST be a Category 1, 2 or 3 rider at the time of registration.

6.       TANDEM TIME TRIALS: Tandem Time Trial National Championships will be conducted over a distance of 30-50 kilometers for men’s and mixed teams, whose ages’ sum falls into the following categories: 70+, 90+ and 110+ and for women’s teams whose ages’ sum falls into the following categories: 70+ and 90+.