Random USAC category question
 

so I just signed up for my USAC license a few weeks ago and have a TT coming up starting this weekend and going on for the next 4 weekends. To upgrade from Cat 5 to Cat 4, you need to complete 10 races... so my question is, if I compete in all 4 weekends of the TT, does that count as 4 races or is that just one race? There's individual registration for all 4 of them, but I signed up for a "super saver" which gets me into all of them.

I'm guessing since they can be classified as 4 different races (as you can sign up for them individually), it would count as 4 races.

Not sure though. Anyone know how this works? I didn't see anything in the USAC handbook about this.

It counts as 0. Mass start only

bah, well that sucks. What's the point of holding a TT under USAC license then?

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580

"5-4: Experience in 10 mass start races."

Note the two things I bolded

Seriously?

Got it. oh well. I'll chock it up to a good excuse to practice and motivate myself.

dude, i have no ****ing idea. I signed up for a USAC license because it was required to join the TT. I don't know every god damn rule about how this **** works.

Can the attitude, I'm just asking, you seriously don't see the point in having a licensed race without it counting towards your upgrade?

Sorry, thought you were being a prick. Don't get an honest "Seriously?" too often on BF.

All of the races I've done in the past haven't been held under any sort of license what-so-ever. So essentially what's happening is a TT doesn't count on the Cat5->Cat4 upgrade... but it can work on other upgrades because it would be based on a point system, not a "mass start" system?

I'm completely ignorant of this stuff, as you can tell. I see rules and point systems based on Road Races and Crit/Circuit races.. but nothing that mentions TTs. In my ignorance, I'm assuming a TT would fall under one of these categories, but I really have no idea.

TTs don't count for upgrades at all, except insofar as they affect the GC in stage races for upgrading to Cat 2 or 1.

But there is a lot more to racing than collecting upgrade points. Some people just like TTs and want them to be official. Then ultimately there are prizes, series competitions, and championships at the district, national, and world level.

Thanks for the straightforward answer. as I said earlier, I guess it's a good excuse to motivate myself to push my boundaries. Unfortunately there aren't too many USAC licensed events here in New Mexico. I've been checking USACycling.org every couple of days. Looks like if I am serious about upgrading I'll have to do some traveling to other states to try and pick up some additional races.

I think it's just that this is the tail end of the season. I'm sure there are tons of events earlier in the year.

The reason for the mass start rule is because USAC isn't worried about your speed so much as your safety. They don't want someone upgrading from 5 to 4 to 3 by riding only time trials and then finally trying a mass start race and causing a big crash because he can't handle the tight pack, elbow rubbing, mind game playing packs of more experienced racers.

Try being a road racer from WV. I spent a small fortune travelling every weekend to race (and get upgrade points). I spent many nights in cheap hotels trying to get two races a weekend in. It's also nice to make friends with other racers, you will end up spending some nights on their couch, just be prepared to return the favor later on. That is how racing works. It also helps to find a sucker, erhmm friend, that wants to race so you can split the expenses. It's not cheap but it is certainly worth it.

Yay....TT upgrade questions... :) - FTW

As mentioned and pointed out TT's do not count for road categorization upgrades in any way. Just like cyclocross races, and track events or mtb don't count for road upgrades....kinda.

As UK mentioned it is all about getting time in close quarters pack riding before allowing you to upgrade on the road. In that case they do say 10 mass start events - or events where you have to rub shoulders. What is unique about this rule is 2 things -
1.they don't say "finishes"....only "starts".
2.They don't overtly spell out that they have to be road specific.

The intent is that you are experienced in handling yourself in a pack. Around here that used to mean that we could get a 5'er to get some starts late in the season and then turn him loose on cyclocross and in the spring they would usually be awarded a 4's upgrade.

Other racing organizing bodies - USAC is just one of them albeit the "official" US sanctioning body when it comes to UCI, Olympic, etc events. Other racing organizations do in fact allow separate categorization of TT events.

As for why would anyone hold a TT under USAC? lots of reasons. 1St - in order for it to be a competition you would need rules and officials. USAC is there to do that. You will also need insurance for your event....USAC does that. That's the point of sanctioning bodies. Not to primarily be a "ranking" system for riders but rather to support events, riders, organizers, and promoters and to help develop the sport. Your payment of a license fee helps to provide that assistance.

33.