LOTS ~ Racing License Upgrades

Racing License Upgrades ~ Most of us race with goal #1 being to expeditiously acquire upgrade points as we work our way up thru the racing ranks on our way to fame and fortune. But upgrading your racing category is more complicated than simply standing on the podium a few times in a couple of small early season races.

SCNCA So Cal Cup Points ~ It is important to understand that the points you need to upgrade your racing category are not related to the So Cal Cup points system that is unique to the Southern California & Nevada Cycling Association. Many areas around the country use one or more locally based points systems to reward athlete participation in local race events. In many cases an athlete can win their local points system’s top award and not earn even 1 license upgrade point. To be considered for an upgrade to your racing category, you need to look to USAC’s rule book for their nationwide upgrade points system and the rules that govern that system.

Racing Conduct ~ At various times in races we have all witnessed behavior that is either dangerous, stupid, ‘un-sportsmen like’ or just plain cheating. While each of these behaviors may require a different approach, all of these behaviors can be an integral part of the upgrade system. When a rider has accumulated the minimum points to upgrade and petitions for an upgrade, the reviewer will look at more than just the rider’s points to determine whether the upgrade will be awarded. If a rider’s “file” contains behavior or performance complaints registered by other riders, coaches, race officials etc, the upgrade may be denied or delayed.

Behavior that can earn a rider a fine, delay an upgrade or receive a racing suspension includes but is not limited to: swearing at anyone during a race (ie another racer, a coach, a race official or even a spectator), riding in an unsafe manner (ie chopping the field, swerving curb to curb while applying the brakes, etc), cutting the course and feeding outside the designated feedzone.

Reporting Bad Behavior ~ As racers, we need to understand that not every ‘mistake’ warrants a formal federal investigation that results in a racing suspension. The small ‘mistakes’ that many of us make in races can usually be dealt with constructively thru debriefing, mentoring and coaching. In many cases the rider simply does not know their actions were a problem or they have not learned how to ride differently. The other 1% of racing ‘mistakes’ are much bigger crimes that either endanger the lives of the peleton or change the outcome of the race. These crimes are way beyond mentoring and require a different approach altogether.

When you have been a victim or spectator of dangerous racing behavior (either isolated or ongoing) you (and any additional witnesses) should immediately notify a race official so the situation can be documented and handled appropriately. In some cases the officials will notify the athlete and/or their coach so the behavior can be modified. In situations where the behavior is ongoing, you and any other affected riders should submit a formal written complaint to your local USAC regional governing board.

In all cases, when on-going bad or dangerous behavior goes unreported, both the rider and the peleton will suffer the consequences as emotions escalate from one race to the next. Additionally, unreported dangerous riders could be granted a racing license upgrade which would allow them to advance and become a threat to the more elite riders in their new category.

At no time should riders take matters into their own hand and engage in heated arguments or make physical contact with an errant rider in an attempt to be heard or to correct the behavior. Give the situation to the race officials so they can document it and deal with the situation while you take a nap.

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The next LOTS Sessions:
Encino Velodrome ~ Saturday May 2th @ 1-3pm Ladies, Please bring a friend and plan to arrive at 12:30 so we can begin the warmup on time.

LOTS Session Fee is $10 and may be prepaid with your rsvp for your convenience. Please email your RSVP to me!

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The LA Velodrome racing schedule is available on-line.
LAVRA's next Race Day will be Sat April 25th.

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The 2009 USAC Athlete Waiver is available on-line.

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The 2009 SCNCA Racing Calendar is available on line.

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The 2009 USAC Rule book is available on-line.

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Have a great week!!

Cheers ~ Julia