Racers.Categories History
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At almost all races, Men's D is split into Division 1 and 2 fields in order to accommodate the number of racers. Men's C is also usually but not always split similarly; pay attention to race announcements and signage for schedule updates on whether the Men's C divisions will be combined or not.
Collegiate | USAC Men | USAC Women | Description |
---|---|---|---|
A | P/1/2/3 | P/1/2/3 | For expert, veteran racers; often includes semi-pro and pro riders. |
B | 3/4 | 3/4 | For racers with a significant amount of experience and results. |
C | 4/5 | 4 | For newer riders who have done some racing or group riding. |
D | 5 | 4 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
Intro | 5 | 4 | For beginners without racing or group riding experience. |
Collegiate | USAC | Description |
---|---|---|
A | P/1/2/3 | For expert, veteran racers; often includes semi-pro and pro riders. |
B | 3/4 | For racers with a significant amount of experience and results. |
C | 4/5 | For newer riders who have done some racing or group riding. |
D | 5 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
Intro | 5 | For beginners without racing or group riding experience. |
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women. Each of these is associated with but distinct from non-collegiate categories, as listed below and defined in the USAC Collegiate Rulebook [7H].
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women. Each of these is associated with but distinct from non-collegiate categories, as listed below and defined in the USAC Collegiate Rulebook.
All ECCC road races feature four categories for women (A--C, Intro) and five for men (A--D, Intro), typically spread across ten fields.
All ECCC road races feature five categories (A--D, Intro), typically spread across 8-9 fields.
Collegiate | USAC | Description |
---|---|---|
A | P/1/2/3 | For expert, veteran racers; often includes semi-pro and pro riders. |
B | 3/4 | For racers with a significant amount of experience and results. |
C | 4/5 | For newer riders who have done some racing or group riding. |
Men's D | 5 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
Intro | Men's 5, Women's 4 | For beginners without racing or group riding experience. |
Collegiate | USAC Men | USAC Women | Description |
---|---|---|---|
A | P/1/2/3 | P/1/2/3 | For expert, veteran racers; often includes semi-pro and pro riders. |
B | 3/4 | 3/4 | For racers with a significant amount of experience and results. |
C | 4/5 | 4 | For newer riders who have done some racing or group riding. |
D | 5 | 4 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
Intro | 5 | 4 | For beginners without racing or group riding experience. |
ECCC MTB races do not have separate Intro categories due to the nature of the races. However, half an hour before every XC and STXC race begins for the day there is a coached clinic. These feature drill exercises and instruction to help new riders pick up a few more skills and improve their racing. Look for these to meet by the starting line of each endurance race.
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women. Each of these is associated with but distinct from non-collegiate categories, as listed below and defined in the USAC Collegiate Rulebook [7H].
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women. Each of these is associated with but distinct from non-collegiate categories, as listed below and defined in the USAC Collegiate Rulebook [7H].
This page outlines the many categories into which ECCC races are divided, and the process for upgrading through them.
This page outlines the many categories into which ECCC races are divided. The process for progressing through them is discussed on the Upgrades page.
ECCC MTB races do not have separate Intro categories due to the nature of the races. However, half an hour before every XC and STXC race begins for the day there is a coached clinic. These feature drill exercises and instruction to help new riders pick up a few more skills and improve their racing. Look for these to meet by the starting line of each endurance race.
Upgrades
Within the beginner categories, riders may self-select their level. Moving into the higher categories requires earning upgrade points, distinct from ECCC season points, or race experience. Riders may also upgrade by having the appropriate non-collegiate category license, as listed above and in the rulebook.
Upgrades are requested via your account on usacycling.org. In each request, make sure to either include a race resume satisfying the requirements, or note that you hold an eligible non-collegiate license for that category.
ECCC riders may not change categories within a race weekend (extreme cases should consult the conference director or season coordinator on site). They may otherwise upgrade and downgrade as they wish throughout a season provided they meet the requirements and the request is approved. Additionally, riders may not downgrade after having scored points in their current category and no downgrades are permitted to Men's D within a season. After a category change request is approved, riders must take their current season number bibs/plates to the conference scoring personnel to be exchanged for numbers in their new category.
Questions about upgrades may be address to Caitlin Thompson.
Road
Information on upgrade points for road racing is available on the USAC website, but is summarized as follows:
Category | Requirement |
---|---|
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
C | Self-selection. |
Men's D | Self-selection. |
Intro | Self-selection. |
Mountain
More information on mountain upgrades are available on the USAC website, but is summarized as follows:
Category | Requirement |
---|---|
A | Two top-5 finishes. |
B | Self-selection. |
C | Self-selection. |
ECCC MTB races do not have separate Intro categories due to the nature of the races. However, half an hour before every XC and STXC race begins for the day there is a coached clinic. These feature drill exercises and instruction to help new riders pick up a few more skills and improve their racing. Look for these to meet by the starting line of each endurance race.
The ECCC's Introduction to Bicycle Racing categories are for new racers looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
The ECCC's Introduction to Bicycle Racing categories are for new racers looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. More information is available on the Intro page.
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field size and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
C | Self-selection. |
Men's D | Self-selection. |
Intro | Self-selection. |
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
C | Self-selection. |
Men's D | Self-selection. |
Intro | Self-selection. |
A | Two top-5 finishes. |
B | Self-selection. |
C | Self-selection. |
A | Two top-5 finishes. |
B | Self-selection. |
C | Self-selection. |
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field size and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field size and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women.
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women. Each of these is associated with but distinct from non-collegiate categories, as listed below and defined in the USAC Collegiate Rulebook [7H].
Within the beginner categories, riders may self-select their level. Moving into the higher categories requires earning upgrade points, distinct from ECCC season points, or race experience. Riders may also upgrade by having the appropriate non-collegiate category license, as listed above and in the rulebook.
Upgrades are requested via your account on usacycling.org. In each request, make sure to either include a race resume satisfying the requirements, or note that you hold an eligible non-collegiate license for that category.
ECCC riders may not change categories within a race weekend (extreme cases should consult the conference director or season coordinator on site). They may otherwise upgrade and downgrade as they wish throughout a season provided they meet the requirements and the request is approved. Additionally, riders may not downgrade after having scored points in their current category and no downgrades are permitted to Men's D within a season. After a category change request is approved, riders must take their current season number bibs/plates to the conference scoring personnel to be exchanged for numbers in their new category.
Questions about upgrades may be address to Caitlin Thompson.
Road
Information on upgrade points for road racing is available on the USAC website, but is summarized as follows:
Category | Requirement |
---|---|
A | Twenty upgrade points in 12 months, or significant racing experience (20--25 races depending on field size and result). |
B | Cat 4 license or experience in 10 mass start races. |
C | Self-selection. |
Men's D | Self-selection. |
Intro | Self-selection. |
Mountain
More information on mountain upgrades are available on the USAC website, but is summarized as follows:
Category | Requirement |
---|---|
A | Two top-5 finishes. |
B | Self-selection. |
C | Self-selection. |
This page outlines the many categories into which ECCC races are divided, and the process for upgrading through them.
Road and Track
The ECCC runs a full slate of categories at every race, catering to everybody from complete beginners to veteran pros for both Men and Women.
Road
All ECCC road races feature four categories for women (A--C, Intro) and five for men (A--D, Intro), typically spread across ten fields.
C | 4/5 | For newer riders who have done some racing or significant group riding. |
D | 5 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
C | 4/5 | For newer riders who have done some racing or group riding. |
Men's D | 5 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
The ECCC's Introduction to Bicycle Racing categories are for new racers looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
The ECCC's Introduction to Bicycle Racing categories are for new racers looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
At almost all races, Men's D is split into Division 1 and 2 fields in order to accommodate the number of racers. Men's C is also usually but not always split similarly; pay attention to race announcements and signage for schedule updates on whether the Men's C divisions will be combined or not.
More information on Women's categories and their organization is available in the ECCC Women's section.
Mountain Biking
Every MTB rider has separate categories for Endurance (XC/STXC), Downhill/Super-D, and Dual Slalom/Mountain Cross, each consisting of two women's categories (A, B) and three men's categories (A--C).
Collegiate | USAC | Traditional | Description |
---|---|---|---|
A | P/1 | Elite & Expert | For veteran, technically competent and fit racers. |
B | 1/2 | Sport | For racers with some amount of MTB riding or racing experience. |
C | 2/3 | Beginner | For riders new to MTB riding and racing. |
ECCC MTB races do not have separate Intro categories due to the nature of the races. However, half an hour before every XC and STXC race begins for the day there is a coached clinic. These feature drill exercises and instruction to help new riders pick up a few more skills and improve their racing. Look for these to meet by the starting line of each endurance race.
Upgrades
Intro | Men's 5, Women's 4 | For beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |
More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
Intro | Men's 5, Women's 4 | For beginners without racing or group riding experience. |
The ECCC's Introduction to Bicycle Racing categories are for new racers looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
Intro | 5/Women's 4 | For beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |
Intro | Men's 5, Women's 4 | For beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |
Road and Track
Categories
Road and Track
Intro | 5/Women's 4 | For complete beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |
Intro | 5/Women's 4 | For beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |
More information on Men's and Women's Intro is on the Intro page.
Categories and Upgrades
Road and Track
Collegiate | USAC | Description |
---|---|---|
A | P/1/2/3 | For expert, veteran racers; often includes semi-pro and pro riders. |
B | 3/4 | For racers with a significant amount of experience and results. |
C | 4/5 | For newer riders who have done some racing or significant group riding. |
D | 5 | For new racers who have enough riding experience to not require coaching. |
Intro | 5/Women's 4 | For complete beginners looking to learn more about riding, particularly in a group, and get some racing experience in a safe, educational environment. |