In a person field, there are 0. Using simple math, the value of placing well in a smaller field may be up to double the value of placing well in a large field. I understand that we all want to do the big races, but if you are trying to upgrade, there are better ways to do it.
This rule has since been changed such that all starters count toward the number of starters. You can take advantage of this rule change by participating in mixed fields. It should be easier to place well in these races because of the lower quality of the field, but the value of the upgrade points remains the same!
A common mistake I see in many lower category riders is the desire to race to win. Let me give you an example. In a technical criterium, there is an opportunity to attack with 3 laps to go. You can try to hold off the field and win in a spectacular solo effort off the front and post up on the finish line for the photographers.
This type of attack almost never works and you are better off getting to the front and setting up for the sprint and accepting 3rd place. Collecting upgrade points is a game of numbers, as long as the total number of upgrade points continues to go up, you should be happy. A great way to increase your chances of earning points in a race is to get your teammates involved.
A good sprint result is guaranteed if your teammates can put you first or second wheel into the last corner. Your teammates can help in a number of ways. Normally a team will decide to work for a single rider to maximize their chances of placing well.
Teammates can help by escorting you to the front of the race at the finish or making sure you have enough food and water in a long road race. They can also bring back breakaways or work on the front to keep your group away from the chasing peloton.
Once you earn the necessary upgrade points, you should stick around in the current category to help out your teammates with their upgrade point pursuits for at least a few races. Normally this is done as a favor back to your teammates. This can double or triple your chances of earning upgrade points by giving you three finish lines to sprint for rather than the usual one.
It should be noted that only a portion of total upgrade points can be earned in Masters races. Racing and pursuing upgrade points is one of the most exciting parts of bike racing.
You train, prepare, and show up on race day ready to win or at least podium. With that being said, getting good at bike racing takes a long time. I know a few Top level pro mountain bikers that would have won the Pro-1 event they wanted to enter but were made to race the Cat 5 race instead. This system is broken and needs to be fixed. It happens as much if not more often in Pro-1 events. As for organizing a race, It is much easier and straightforward having 5 categories filled to capacity , than the more than two dozen categorized races with minimum rider participation.
If road racing is to survive in the US, it needs to change. Just my 2 cents from 30 years of seeing the world change while cycling upgrade requirements have seemed to just stay stagnant. Mountain bike upgrades are much less formal than the road, and typically if you can show that you are competitive in your current category, you can usually appeal for an upgrade from your local USAC representative. What about juniors? Are upgrade points given for junior categories or do juniors have to race adult categories to get upgrade points?
Also, how are starters determined for combined fields? If there are 5 starters in each category and a cat4 wins their category do they get 3 or 7 upgrade points? USA Cycling will pull you from a race after a single lap for being out of contention then they mark the race complete. In the worst case scenario you are dropped at the starting line and removed from the race within two to five minutes.
After 10 races you are moved to cat 4 with zero minutes experience riding with a peloton. While this is an edge case be aware it is also very possible and a real thing that occurs. They know this and refuse to change. Has this changed between when this article was written and now? How does this either compare or translate to the system of points described in this blog? Hey DT, Good question, and a common source of confusion.
Upgrade points are calculated manually from the number of finishers and your finishing position. See your hard work pay off and understand your performance with powerful analysis tools. May 18, Jonathan Lee 30 comments. Contents There is a lot of information you should know about category upgrades, but if you want to skip to a specific section, you can click one of the links below.
Novice to 4 Points Upgrade: 10 Experience Upgrade: Novice racers can upgrade at will at their own discretion Automatic Upgrade: 10 points in 12 months Novice racers earn one point for finishing a race, regardless of finishing position. Adaptive Training Get the right workout, every time with training that adapts to you. Check Out TrainerRoad. Road Races Distance Requirements Road races are typically held on a large loop or point-to-point course.
Scroll to Top. Share this Post. Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Kyle says:. December 6, at am. Bryce Lewis says:. December 6, at pm. Drew says:. Jim says:. Todd says:. December 12, at pm. December 11, at pm. Chris says:. Andre says:. December 20, at pm. December 21, at pm. Richard says:. Find activities close to home. Activities near you will have this indicator. Within 2 Miles.
Activities near you will have this indicator Within 2 Miles. To save your home and search preferences Join Active or Sign In. To save your home and search preferences. Great merchants! Great products! Great value! Eligible categories on electronic licenses will be switched converted over to the new Novice designation.
There is not need to obtain a new hard copy license. Generally yes, subject to the rules that govern entries and how an event organizer creates their schedule.
0コメント