More changes on the way for 2011……..
CATEGORY GUIDELINES FOR 2011 ROAD RACING SEASON
A workshop was hosted in Dublin on Sunday August 22nd 2010 by the Cycling Ireland Road Commission with members of the Board of Cycling Ireland and members from the College of Commissaires. As a result of this workshop the following Guidelines will be enforced for the 2011 Road Racing season. Feedback is requested by Sept 30th to grading@cyclingireland.ie.
A+
Consist of professionally contracted riders.
A1
Consisting of A1 riders from the 2010 season who have scored at least 1 point and those riders who apply for an A1 licence.
Riders who finish the 2010 season with zero points will be eligible to downgrade to a minimum of A2. Riders who opt for the downgrade will automatically be graded as an A2 with 7 points at the beginning of the 2011 season. A1 riders will start the 2011 season with 0 points.
A2
Consisting of A2 riders from the 2010 season who have scored at least 1 point and those riders who apply for an A2 licence.
Riders who finish the 2010 season with zero points will only be eligible for downgrade on application to the National Grading Officer via the e mail : grading@cyclingireland.ie . Such applications will only be received during the months of November/December 2010. Further applications for downgrade outside of these months will only be processed during the month of June 2011. (Halfway through the season).
Successful downgrades will see the rider categorized as an A3 with 7 points at the beginning of the 2011 season.
A2 riders who scored points during the 2010 season will carry over 50% of their year end total into the 2011 season, rounded down.
A3
Consisting of A3 riders from the 2010 season regardless of whether points are scored or not. A3 riders who scored points during the 2010 season will carry over 50% of their year end total into the 2011 season, rounded down.
SPORT
This group replaces the A4 category. It is open to anybody over the age of 16 years.
This group will not carry any points and is aimed to cater for riders who wish to compete in a group of equal ability and with the same objectives, to race for fun. Upgrading will only be on rider request only.
There will be NO CASH PRIZES. Prizes will only be in trophy form and for the first three riders only.
Under no circumstances will this group compete with any of the Competitive Categories listed above, irrespective of whether it is a handicap race or not.
The Maximum distance allowed for this group will not exceed 50km.
No rider in this group will be eligible for ANY National Championship.
Race organizers incapable of catering for this group will not apply to promote such an event.
JUNIORS
Juniors can start the 2011 season in either the A2/A3 categories or the Sport Group.
Juniors in the A2 group will also be eligible to be upgraded to A1 if they reach the required points total. Due to the small number of races over 120km in length the distance restriction for Junior riders will be lifted.
Junior riders must adhere to the Maximum Gear Roll Out of 7.93 Metres no matter what category they are in.
GRADING POINTS
The number of points required to move through the categories have changed for the 2011 Season. The new targets are :
A3 to A2 = 15 points
A2 to A1 = 15 points
I.V.C.A
I.V.C.A members who don’t have a current Cycling Ireland Licence competing in a Cycling Ireland event will automatically be graded as an A2. If in possession of a current Cycling Ireland Licence the category stated on this will take priority.
CHAMPIONSHIPS ELIGIBILITY
Mens Elite RR Championships- A+/A1/A2
Womens Elite RR Championships- A+/A1/A2/A3
Vets RR Championships- A1/A2/A3 with “Veteran” in brackets after the licence number
Junior RR Championships-A1/A2/A3 with “Junior” in brackets after the licence number. This now includes Junior Women
Senior Mens/Womens TT Championships- A+/A1/A2/A3 with “Senior” in brackets after licence number
Junior TT Championship- A1/A2/A3 with “Junior” in brackets after licence number
Vets TT Championship-A1/A2/A3 with “Veteran” in brackets after licence number
The B Championships is renamed the National A3 Senior Mens RR Championships and is open to A3 male riders with “Senior” in brackets after their licence number only.