Cat 3 captain for Nationals
 

I was looking into going to Nationals this year when I came across this rule:

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.

I am a Cat1 XC (MTB) racer. Only a Cat4 road racer. I wrote USA Cycling, they tell me I have to be cat3 in road. The rule does not say that. it says "Category 1, 2 or 3 rider".

Anybody been to Nationals as a tandem captain with a cat4 or lower license? I dread having to race cat4 races to cat up to 3.

Maybe I should contest the rule? Any ideas out there?

Rick

If you do not have a Cat 3 road license it seems pretty clear. You need the appropriate license for the event type... road, track, mtb, etc, and one does not automatically qualify you for the other.

For example, I have a UCI Masters Cat 3 road & track license (2012 racing age is 52 and never tandem racing) and would not think about trying to use that in a mtb race except for novice.

That's just it. The rule is not clear. It says "cat1,2, or 3 rider" not, cat 1,2 or 3 road rider. I'm just saying. I know I probably won't win the argument.

If it's just a safety issue. I think they should consider the cat1 mtb ranking. Obviously, a cat1 mtb ride can handle a bike.

Regardless of the fitness and off-road experience demonstrated by your XC license, I expect at least part of the reason for the tandem road race rule is assure a certain level of road race experience for entrants. Apparently the USCF feels a Cat 4 doesn't meet this criteria.

Myself, I wouldn't contest it, and I'm sentenced to be a Cat 4 for life. ;)

Rick,

We're doing the TT and the RR at Nationals this year.

Do you qualify for the lifetime achievment upgrade? Experience in 25 races, with 10 top 10 finishes, or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50.

They don't have to be in the same year, and at least when Tim was the rep, he would count Masters results. The weeknight training crits count too, as long as they meet the minimum field requirement.

If you have 25 races over a period of years, and got a couple of results this summer, I'm pretty sure you won't have trouble getting the upgrade.

Heck they approved mine.

That's what I'm talking about! Someone who thinks outside the box! After all, why should I have to have a cat3 ranking to race in a Master National? I have master experience.

I was just going to call you in the first place. Shoulda gone with my first instinct.