Policy X

Rider Rankings
USA Cycling Rankings Policy 

Updated 2/3/2025

Section 1: Background 

USA Cycling ranks riders by averaging their best performances within a specific discipline over a rolling 12-month period. 

  • Criterium, Road Race, Time Trial, Cross Country, and Cyclocross: Rankings are based on the rider's top five (5) event results in the discipline. 

  • All Other Disciplines: Rankings are based on the rider's top three (3) event results in the discipline. 

Only riders with a current USA Cycling license are eligible to be ranked. Riders with expired or pending licenses will not appear in the rankings.  

At least 3 riders in a field are required to generate ranking points. In a field of 1 or 2 athletes, there is not enough data to generate points.  

This policy ensures consistency, fairness, and transparency in how USA Cycling ranks riders across each discipline. 

Section 2: Ranking Algorithm 

Rankings are calculated using a standardized algorithm to ensure fairness and consistency. The key components are: 

1. Race Quality Value: 

The Race Quality Value reflects the competitiveness of a race. It is calculated as: 

Race Quality Value = (Average of 5 best ranked riders in race’s top 10) x 0.9 

2. Points per Place: 

Points per place determine how rankings are distributed among all riders who finish the race. It is calculated as: 

Points per Place = (((Avg. ranking of all finishers) – (Race Quality)) x 2) / (total number of finishers – 1) 

 

3. Rank Points: 

Rank Points are awarded based on a rider’s performance in a race and are calculated as: 

Rank Points = Race Quality + ((rider’s placing – 1) x Points per Place) 

Special Considerations: 

  • The maximum score for an individual race is capped at 590, ensuring all finishers receive better points than the maximum value of 600. 

  • If the average ranking of all race finishers is better (lower) than the average of the top 5 in the top 10 finishers, the overall average will be used to calculate Race Quality. 

  • The Race Quality Value:  

  • Will not be lower (i.e. better) than the ranking points of the best-ranked rider in the top 10. 

  • Will not be higher (i.e. worse) than 540 (90% of the maximum value of 600). 

 

Section 3: Application 

Rankings apply to all disciplines with a national championship. These disciplines include: 

  • Road Cycling: Road Race (Circuit Race included as Road Race), Criterium, Time Trial. 

  • Mountain Biking: Cross Country, Short Track Cross Country, Cross-Country Marathon, Downhill, Super D, Dual Slalom, Mountain (4) Cross. 

  • Cyclocross 

  • Track Cycling: Points Race, Scratch Race, Individual Pursuit, Track Time Trial (1000m and 500m combined), Sprints, Keirin. 

Exclusions: 

All team events (Team Pursuit, Team Sprint, Madison, and Road Team Time Trial) and Team relay events (e.g., Cyclocross, Cross Country, Road, and Track relays) do not count toward individual rider rankings.