Category Upgrade vs "Sandbagging"
 

I've been cycling for 2 years - 99% spent road riding. I consider myself to be very fit for my age (35 yrs old), and as far as cycling goes, I'm still learning, but can haul pretty good (typical solo ride is 34-36km/h avg for 40-80kms).

Last weekend was my first race ever on a bicycle - It was a cross race - 1st of 7 events this season. Because i've never raced before and just got my UCI license, I was assigned to Category "C" - for newcomers and beginners - consisting of about 10 riders out of a total field of 50 A, B, and C Cat riders. I've never tried Cross before. I own a cross bike (Felt F75x), but primarily used it for family riding on the MUP or road rides on a rainy day. Figured out the mount/dismount technique the day of during the course recce prior to the race.

To my surprise, I came in first place in "C", and according to the scoring and timing, finshed amongst the midpack of "B" riders. Not bad for a 1st try.

So my question is this - a few buddies say I should upgrade to Cat B. I'm hesitant - is it cocky to upgrade after only 1 race under my belt? But on the flipside, is it considered sandbagging if I choose to stay in "C" so I can hone my skills and fitness for next year in Cat B - possibly winning again in the process?

You can definitely apply, but if you've never raced, you'll probably be turned down to get more race experience until you've had a few more races under your belt. It's really up to the official. Be as cocky as you want. When you get smacked down, you'll know you're racing at the level that you should be at. If you continue to win in the C's, you'll probably be forced to upgrade fairly soon.

Good luck.

If the local rules let you upgrade you may as well. You'd benefit more racing faster riders. On the other hand, everyone considers the winner of their category a sandbagger, but that's life. Someone has to win.

Were you racing anyone in the C's? If you aren't actually racing people then you aren't learning. If you are not learning then upgrade.

Its hard to say. All the categories raced at the same time, and there was no way to tell who was in which category. I just chased whoever was in front of me.

Field size of ten is pretty small. So it could have been a lack of competition in the C's. I would suggest you do at least one more C race, if you win that then upgrade. Typically 3 wins is an automatic upgrade, at least it used to be in the US before they went to the newer Cat system.

There are some people who come into the C's who are cat2 road or expert mtb and id say thats a bit unfair, but being in better shape and winning vs 10 other Cs doesnt mean you are sandbagging. Id race the rest of the season in the C's and try somethings out and learn as much as you can.

It's your first year racing, if there's a prize for winning the series and you think you can do enough of the races stay in the C's and reap the rewards of your fitness.

Winning the series title for the lowest class is the very definition of a sandbag.

Move up after one race? Probably not, but I see no need to go very many weeks.

So every one who win's a cat 4 series is a sand bagger? I don't think so. I won the Men's C category about 10 years ago, maybe more, in NC and it was a hard race every step of the way with several people competing for the same title. I suppose if you run away from the field every single race then you could be considered a sand bagger but now the way it's set up if you are a cat 2 on the road you have to start off as a cat 4 in CX. So you can't really blame them for sand bagging.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

This past weekend was another race - a double header actually, and I won both races in C Cat by a considerable margin. The commissaire recommended I upgrade for next weekend, so I am now a B Cat.

There ya go! Good job.

Congrats! Have fun.

That sounds reasonable (2 wins gets an auto upgrade).

Bit of an update to my season so far - I've done 2 races as a B Cat since my upgrade. I finished 3rd and 4th, so I think I'm where I need to be. I have much to learn and lots of room for improvement.

FWIW I'm a road 3, but a CX C. And I'm definitely not sandbagging. It's a totally different discipline and I have a lot to learn.

Good job!

Good call. If you're winning, upgrade. You learn skills when you're riding above your level, trying to figure out how the guys who are pulling away from you are going through those corners so damn fast.