USA Cycling revises cyclo-cross upgrade criteria

Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 20, 2013) -- USA Cycling on Wednesday announced that it has amended rule 1E6, which outlines upgrades and downgrades for cyclo-cross racers.

USA Cycling amended its rule book changing how cyclo-cross racers can upgrade their licenses. (Photo by Dejan Smaic)

Beginning in 2013, all newly-licensed male riders will begin as a category 5 racer. New female cyclo-cross riders will continue to start as category 4 racers. Any riders who will be renewing from 2013 forward will maintain the category from the previous year. A category 5 rider will mandatorily be upgraded to a category 4 rider after competing in 10 races. Once a rider becomes a category 4 rider, he or she faces voluntary or mandatory upgrades.

A category 4 rider can voluntarily be upgraded to a category 3 rider after earning 10 points. A category 4 rider faces mandatory upgrade after accruing 15 points or two wins in a field of at least 30 competitors. A category 3 rider can upgrade to a category 2 rider after amassing 15 points. A category 3 rider is mandatorily upgraded to category 2 after collecting 20 points or winning two races with at least 30 competitors. A category 2 rider can elect to be upgraded to category 1 after totaling 20 points. A category 2 rider will face mandatory upgrade after accruing 25 points or two wins in a 40-rider field.

Juniors riders are exempt from the mandatory upgrades beginning at category 4.

For a look at how points are earned, please see the chart below:

Points awarded for Cyclo-cross Races

	Number of Starters
Placing	5-10	11-20	21-50	50+
1	3	4	5	7
2	2	3	4	5
3	1	2	3	4
4		1	2	3
5			1	2
6				1

For further information, please refer to the Cyclo-cross Upgrades page or the 2013 USA Cycling Rule Book.

This Article Updated March 21, 2013 @ 05:51 PM For more information contact: