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Newbie Race question..

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Newbie Race question..

Old 02-03-05, 07:31 AM
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What's the difference between the different Race catogories? Cat-1, 2, 3.

How does Cat figure into the whole racing category. Is Cat-3 any good?

Someguy I was talking to said he was CAt-3....blah blah, but he wasn't very fast at all. Maybe he is a good climber though?
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Old 02-03-05, 07:52 AM
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From what i understand, there are Cats 1 - 5. Cat 5 is for people new to racing/people who arent in top physical fitness. Cats 1 - 2 are for the more hardcore, really in shape bikers (i could be wrong). So Cats 3 - 4 are at the more moderate/experianced level i would assume.
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Old 02-03-05, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by TitaniuMerlin
From what i understand, there are Cats 1 - 5. Cat 5 is for people new to racing/people who arent in top physical fitness. Cats 1 - 2 are for the more hardcore, really in shape bikers (i could be wrong). So Cats 3 - 4 are at the more moderate/experianced level i would assume.
So you don't get promoted. You can race any Cat you want?

I guess the Cat system is just an informal guide.
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Old 02-03-05, 08:27 AM
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If you go to usacycling.org you can find all the info you need.

Cat 5 does not necessarilly mean less fit riders. A pro mtb racer that wants to dabble in road racing has to start off in cat 5. 10 races is the minimum requirement to 'cat up' to cat 4. It is very difficult to become a cat 1 and most people can't do it. It takes full dedication and a lot of talent. Again a cat 3 could be just as good as a cat 1 but just has not gotten there yet and likewise a cat 3 could be just as bad as a good cat 5. Some people just want to cat up for the sake of being in a lower category but you really need to get some wins or you'll have a hard time and probably not enjoy it.
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Old 02-03-05, 08:31 AM
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Prior to the Olympics admitting professionals, the US National Team was comprised of Cat-1's (the highest level amateur). There are not enough pro's riding in the US to have pro-only races, so most races have a pro/Cat-1/Cat-2 race category.

One would begin racing by purchasing a USCF license, and having never raced before, be a Cat-5 (formerly know as ‘citizens’ or ‘unlicensed’ racers). If one places in enough races as a Cat-5, you would move up to Cat-4 and on to Cat-3 and so on. In each category, the races get longer and the competition tougher.

At any given race, there is usually a Pro/1/2 field, a 3-4 field (sometimes combined, sometimes not) and a 5 field. Also, there are age-graded and separate female fields. Usually, the lower categories go first and the Pro/1/2’s last. The 5’s might ride 20 miles and the Pro/1/2’s 70 miles or more.
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Old 02-03-05, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by galen_52657
Prior to the Olympics admitting professionals, the US National Team was comprised of Cat-1's (the highest level amateur). There are not enough pro's riding in the US to have pro-only races, so most races have a pro/Cat-1/Cat-2 race category.

One would begin racing by purchasing a USCF license, and having never raced before, be a Cat-5 (formerly know as ‘citizens’ or ‘unlicensed’ racers). If one places in enough races as a Cat-5, you would move up to Cat-4 and on to Cat-3 and so on. In each category, the races get longer and the competition tougher.

At any given race, there is usually a Pro/1/2 field, a 3-4 field (sometimes combined, sometimes not) and a 5 field. Also, there are age-graded and separate female fields. Usually, the lower categories go first and the Pro/1/2’s last. The 5’s might ride 20 miles and the Pro/1/2’s 70 miles or more.
Good info. cat 5 races only 20 miles? Wow. I though these races were all Centuries at least. That's good to know becasue I'd rather not have to compete in marathons. 70 miles is long for ceratin, but it isn't exactly a marathon type race. (unless it is is really hilly)
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Old 02-03-05, 08:54 AM
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Even though cat 5 races are general short. You will suffer like a dog when the pack decided to go all out for 1 minute at 30 mph. Sure you have ridden a lot of centuries but if you haven't ridden at 30 mph, you WILL get dropped. I am not talking about downhill speed here.
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Old 02-03-05, 08:59 AM
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The biggest thing in a Cat 5 race is avoiding all the other riders that can't ride in a straight line or make up their minds where they are going. You will see a lot of guys that sprint stop sprint in the Cat 5 class, its a great way to wear yourself out. Just hold your place and make your effort towards the end.
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Old 02-03-05, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by R600DuraAce
Even though cat 5 races are general short. You will suffer like a dog when the pack decided to go all out for 1 minute at 30 mph. Sure you have ridden a lot of centuries but if you haven't ridden at 30 mph, you WILL get dropped. I am not talking about downhill speed here.
This is true. The difference between tourests and racers is that tourests go a long way at a fairly even tempo and races are balls-to-the-wall for a bit and then some recovery. In order to succeed at racing, you need to train yourself so you can stay with the attacks. Intervals, intervals and more intervals...long intervals...short intervals...up hill...flats...

If you can't at least ride a wheel when the shiznit hits the fan...you will be OTB....
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Old 02-03-05, 09:17 AM
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Also, if he is a cat 3, he has won races and placed many top 10 positions. To give you an idea about how hard it is to win ONE race. There are people staying at cat 4 for couple of years because they haven't won any races or positioned the top 10 to earn them enough upgrade points. Also, you are racing against 50+ riders. You need skills to win races, not just pure speed. BTW, TT does not count towards your upgrade point.
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