Elite:
Our top athletes. To be an Elite rider you should be able to go to most velodromes and be competitive in their premier programs. Bike handling should never really be in doubt and you should feel like you can stick with most top riders at any given time. To race as an Elite, your USCF racing license should be a 1 or 2 (or, in a few exceptions, cat 3). Average pack speed: 30+mph. Sprints 40+mphExpert:
Expert riders should be just on the cusp of moving up. Maybe you need a little more fitness or riding tactics. Maybe you are a rider who has been racing for a long time, are pretty fit, but have that funny thing called "life" that doesn't allow you to ride 20+ hours anymore. An Expert rider should have excellent bike handling skills. Average pack speed: 25+mph. Sprints 35+mph. Experienced USCF Category 3 and 4 riders.Competitive:
Competitive group riders should be experienced racers with solid bike handling skills and a thorough knowledge of track rules and etiquette. This group will contain riders aiming to move up to the expert level and those looking for good racing without the pressure of battling a field of riders seeking an upgrade to the Elite group. It is also a place where experienced riders can help newer riders improve their tactics and become better racers. Average pack speed: 22+mph. Sprints 30+mph. USCF Category 4 ridersNew Track Racer: - (Starting April 1)
If you are a new rider you must ride as a New Track Racer first. No exceptions. This group will race every other Tuesday night** to coincide with our Masters and Women's races. It is designed for every rider who has recently been certified to race and for anyone who feels that they need more track experience before racing against more seasoned riders. USCF Category 5 ridersThis group will serve as a valuable place to learn the basics of track racing and sharpen your riding skills. To upgrade to the next level and race on Wednesday nights, you must race a minimum of 4 races and score at least 84 points.
**We encourage all new riders to also race at the pursuit challenges that take place the other two Tuesdays of the month.
To give you some perspective, Wayne, Pete and Brian feel they would now best fit within the Expert group after life, injury and lack of proper training have set in. Based on this knowledge, you either believe that:
A.) you can kick our butts a good portion of the time,
B.) you would be competitive with us,
C.) you would have more fun in a different group.
In addition, I (Wayne) feel the B group was inconsistently fast last year. If you felt a little maxed out last year in the B's, then you may want to consider the Competitive group. Really this goes for all last years categories.The purpose of this restructuring is to make the racing safer, more exciting and challenging for everyone in every category. We don't want anyone to feel anxious or scared about what group they choose. Give it some thought and race in the category you feel you is the best fit. If you are unsure of what category you are, just ask. We feel we know our riders very well and can help you make that decision much easier. Email Wayne if you are unsure.
Racing is fun when you are able to contest sprints, employ tactics and make things happen. It’s a drag when you are struggling off the back. We want you all to have fun.
*****Please pick a category and stay there. If you choose a group that doesn’t stretch your ability, the worst that happens is it takes you a month to score the points to move up, but you get the added bonus of trying different tactics that you may not have been able to do before. On the other hand, if you choose a group where you are constantly falling off the back or if your bike handling skills are in question for that group, you will be asked to move down at our discretion.*****
Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to the best season ever.
Track Upgrades*
All track upgrades are processed by the Velodrome Manager using the following criteria:New Track Rider to Competitive - Complete a Velodrome Class plus 4 race days and 84 points
Competitive to Expert - 5 race days and 84 points
Expert to Elite - 5 race days and 105 points*Points are a total of points per night of racing, not omnium points or overall YTD pts. Each race is scored 7,5,3,2,1. Masters points do not count toward your upgrade. It is the responsibility of the rider to keep track their own resume to be submitted once you have reached your needed points. No written resume, no upgrade.
USCF Upgrades follow ATRA rules and can be found in your USCF rule book.