Start order for Non-UCI categories at 2012 USA Cycling Cross Nationals will be determined by rider ranking using the organization's new, improved ranking system to debut Sept 1

 

Call-ups for non-UCI catetories at Cyclo-cross Nationals will be determined by rider ranking in USA Cycling's re-vamped Results and Ranking System, increasing the importance of results submission for local race directors.

Start order for all non-UCI categories at the 2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships will be determined by rider ranking using the organization’s new, improved rankings system to debut Sept.1.

 

Cyclo-cross will be the first USA Cycling National Championship to use the remodeled rankings system to resolve call-up order for all race divisions other than Collegiate, Junior 17-18 and Elite. Following member feedback, this method of seeding aims to offer the most equitable and concise call-up procedure possible and does signify a departure from the previous approach of utilizing time trials, random drawings or based on when a rider registered online for Cyclo-cross National Championships.

USA Cycling’s new rankings system is set for public launch September 1, 2011. The rankings system will use an innovative algorithm to rank riders based on their results compared to other competitors rather than using an arbitrary event value. The new system will allow riders to achieve a ranking, based more on how well they race rather than how often. Rider rankings will be derived from an individual’s average of his/her top three results within a rolling 12 month period. More details on the revamped rankings program will be released in the coming weeks prior to the debut of the new system.    

To ensure as fair and accurate a process as possible, USA Cycling is requesting all cyclo-cross race directors to submit results to USA Cycling in an accurate and timely fashion.

Eligibility guidelines for 2012 Masters Cyclo-cross World Champs

The 2012 UCI Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships, scheduled for Jan. 12-15 in Louisville, Ky.,have announced the eligibility guidelines for participation
Eligibility Guidelines as follows:

• Rider must be of cyclo-cross racing age of 30 or older.
• Riders who appear in the UCI cyclo-cross rankings or have earned UCI points in the 2011-2012 season are ineligible for the Masters World Championships.
• Riders who participated in the UCI Elite Cyclo-cross World Championships, Continental Cyclo-cross Championships or any UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup during the 2011-2012 season are ineligible to compete at Masters Worlds.
• Any rider who has been a member, during the 2011-2012 season, of a team registered with the UCI in any discipline is ineligible for the Masters World Championships.
• There will be no ability category restrictions in order for riders to compete.

Licensing
All racers will be required to hold a 2012 International Racing license. For U.S.-based Masters age racers unaccustomed to this requirement, USA Cycling recommends beginning the application process as soon as the 2012 licenses will be available for purchase on December 1, 2011. The international license allows riders to compete in domestic road, mountain bike, cyclo-cross and track events; therefore riders will not need to purchase a separate domestic license for the 2012 season.

International Licensing Process
The application process requires several steps including a signature on the international license athlete release form and proof of nationality. Riders will need to make sure the signed waivers and proof of citizenship are submitted to and processed by USA Cycling well in advance of the event. If these are not received and processed, the rider will be ‘pended’ in the system and will not be allowed to compete.

What are the additional steps?

1. Once the international license has been purchased online atwww.usacycling.org, riders will be prompted to download, sign and submit the athlete signature page. This may be submitted to USA Cycling via fax, email (scan) or postal mail.
    
2. Provide a copy of your birth certificate or valid passport for proof of citizenship. If a rider is just renewing their international license, they do not need to provide a proof of citizenship if it’s already on-file with USA Cycling.

Qualifying and Field Limits
The UCI Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships have a UCI-mandated field limit of 80 riders.

For fields with greater than 80 registrants the UCI Cyclo-cross Commission has determined that short heats will be installed, with a limit of 60-70 riders per heat and a maximum of eight heats, and a ‘repechage’. Start order for the World Championship final will be according to the results of the heats.

Start Order / Call-Ups / Finals Qualification

1. Call ups for all qualifying races will be random draw.
    
2. For fields greater than 75 riders a three-lap heat race will be contested. The number of heats will be determined by the total number of riders registered. In the heats, riders will be called up by random order in the same method as mentioned above.
   
   The finals will be raced with 80 riders with five coming from the Repechage. The Repechage is open to all racers who did not qualify for the Finals coming out of their qualifying heat.
    
3. For the World Championship Final, riders will be called up by their order of finish in their heats (all first riders of the different heats, all second riders of the different heats and so forth).
    
4. A second final — or Consolation Final — will be raced to determine finishing places 81-onward.

The random draw will be conducted on-site at registration. The rider who draws number 1 will be called up first and so on. Riders will draw their own numbers.

“The UCI and USA Cycling have been working diligently to establish fair and clear guidelines for the 2012 and 2013 Masters Worlds,” said race director Bruce Fina. “This is an entirely new animal. With ever-growing Masters fields in the U.S., all involved realize that these events will pose unique challenges that the races have not faced in Europe in terms of field sizes and eligibility. The UCI is rightfully concerned with protecting the integrity of the world championship jersey and title and its technical execution. All parties agree these qualification and eligibility guidelines are the best way to be fair to racers from the U.S. and across the world while still recognizing that this is a world championship event and affording it a degree of respect and recognition for the competition that sets it apart from most mass participatory events.”


For Sponsorship information and other queries about the races please contact:
Joan Hanscom, Event Director
+1 484.995.0547
email: Joanhan@mac.com
SKYPE: Joanhan16

Major Taylor June & July Events

Two seasons in Australia were pivotal in the bicycle racing career of 1899 world champion Major Taylor. We'll lift a glass of wine or beer from Down Under while we hear all about it from the author of a new book, "Major Taylor in Australia."Seating is limited at the June 10 wine-tasting and author talk, so it's best to buy tickets now to reserve your spot. MAJOR TAYLOR DOWN UNDER   Wine-tasting and author talk June 10 Join us for Major Taylor Down Under, a presentation by Jim Fitzpatrick, author of "Major Taylor in Australia," and a sampling of wines and beer from Down Under, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 10, at KJ Baaron's Fine Wine & Spirits, 220 Summer St., Worcester, Mass. Tickets are $18.99 for this tribute to the 1899 champ and the guest list is filling up fast. Read more ... The "Major Taylor in Australia" book tour: June 6, Rochester, N.Y. June 10, Worcester, Mass. June 11, Winchester, Mass. June 15, Indianapolis, Ind. June 16, Minneapolis, Minn. June 18, Davis, Calif. June 22, San Diego, Calif. MORE RAFFLE PRIZES   George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor Win an autographed copy of "New Red Bike," James Ransome's charming storybook for the training-wheels set, or a shiny new grown-up bike, in the 2011 George Street raffle. Grand prize in the raffle is a Diamondback Podium 3 road bike from Barney's Bicycle. Whether or not you're competing in the hill climb in Worcester on July 24, you could put yourself on the Podium! Other cool prizes: comfy wool sports apparel fromJoneswares; a $25 Amazon.com gift card from Luke Hayes, author of the children's e-book "Major Taylor, Bicycle Champion"; the book "Celebrate People's History" from the Feminist Press; the book "Major Taylor in Australia" by Jim Fitzpatrick; "I Love My Bike" from Chronicle Books; hand-printed stencil artwork from Janet Bike Girl; gift boxes fromJust Soap; and a Major Taylor cycling jersey. In the 10th annual George Street Bike Challenge for Major Tayloron Sunday, July 24, in Worcester, Mass., it's one rider at a time against the clock on a short, steep hill in Worcester, Mass., where Major Taylor himself trained. Registration is $20, including a T-shirt.  MAJOR TAYLOR CYCLING JERSEY   9 jerseys left in stockMajor Taylor cycling jerseys are going fast. Available sizes are men's L, and women's M and XL. Other sizes can be backordered for fall delivery. Order here ... FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION   Q:How did Major Taylor's income compare to the money that baseball players made in his era? A: In 1903, Major Taylor's earnings approached $50,000. Honus Wagner's 1908 baseball salary of $10,000 (soon matched by Ty Cobb's) was considered sensational, a landmark in American pro sports. The book "Major Taylor in Australia" by Jim Fitzpatrick has more details of sports superstars' relative earnings.

Hope to see you June 10 at Major Taylor Down Under in Worcester, at George Street on July 24, or both. In between, join our friends in the Seven Hills Wheelmen on the King's Tour of the Quabbin on June 12.    Tailwinds, Lynne Tolman info@majortaylorassociation.org Major Taylor Association