Policy VIII - Rider Category Upgrading

• Only races permitted by USA Cycling, another UCI affiliated National Federation, or another organization upon written agreement by USA Cycling will be recognized.
• Races for upgrades will be recognized that date back 36 months from the upgrade request.
• Upgrade points are based on the overall placing in the entire field, not broken out by category within the field.
• Riders who have upgraded will start with a zero race points balance in their new category. Where indicated in the policies, clinic points may be carried over (road and track 4>3).
• Junior and Youth riders are exempt from mandatory upgrades for points earned in junior and youth races.
• Juniors and Youth who earn points in Elite or U23 races in Road, Track and CX are subject to mandatory upgrades with those points only up to Category 3.
• Series: Riders who are more than halfway through a series of ten races or less may request a one-time waiver of mandatory upgrade with approval from the series director and USA Cycling.
• Professional: A Professional is a member of a UCI registered team in that discipline (note: “Pro” is an ability level in MTB, and a Professional would race in the Pro MTB category).
• A rider who feels like they have advanced too quickly may request a downgrade through their USA Cycling account, with the request subject to review. Riders may not downgrade to the Novice category in any discipline.
• A rider may be downgraded by USA Cycling for the following reasons: unsafe riding, lack of ability to compete in current category, or lack of placing within current category.
• If you are Pro or Cat 1 for Road, you are eligible to request an upgrade to Cat 2 for other disciplines (MTB, CX, or Track); these requests require approval from the upgrade coordinator before being granted.
• Road Discipline: Points awarded for for Stage Race G.C. (Cat 3>2, and Cat 2>1).

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