Coaches' Resources

Beginner Racer Program

While many people know how to ride a bike, very few have been taught how to race. The Beginning Racer Program (BRP) is designed to provide new racers with an enjoyable and educational experience as they learn to race their bike. The objective of the BRP is to inspire and educate new riders, thus leading to safer more enjoyable racing experiences.

For new racers, the USA Cycling BRP is a great way to learn the skills and dynamics of bike racing in a safe and welcoming environment. Whether you are a young junior rider or a master’s athlete, the BRP will guide you through the how-to’s of racing step by step.

For race promoters, the USA Cycling BRP is ideal for teaching racers how to race safely, have fun learning to race, and build the skills and confidence necessary for them to keep racing.

View the BRP Webinar conducted by USA Cycling here.

Clinic Topics

The BRP is broken down into five separate clinics:

  1. Basic Pack Skills — Protecting Your Front Wheel
  2. Cornering — Choosing and Holding Your Line
  3. Pack Awareness and Skills
  4. Sprinting Basics
  5. Bringing it All Together

Each clinic is comprised of three components: on-bike instructional clinic, mentored race, and race debrief.

How to Start a BRP

There are a variety of ways to launch a BRP in your area:

  1. Reach out to USA Cycling to guide you through the steps. The primary contact will be Parker Ohlmann, Clubs and Community Lead
  2. Work directly with a local race promoter
  3. Create your own independent BRP

USA Cycling Beginning Racer Program Manual

All parties looking to hold a BRP MUST meet the requirements outlined in the MANUAL.


Upgrade Points

USA Cycling rules state a Cat 5 cyclist may upgrade to Cat 4 by acquiring ten (10) points. These points can be achieved by finishing 10 mass start races, or 5 USA Cycling approved Beginning Racer Program (BRP) clinics, or a combination of both. Mass start races count as one (1) point each and USA Cycling approved Beginning Racer Program clinics count as two (2) points each clinic. Women cat 4 cyclists are authorized to apply up to ten (10) points from the Beginning Racer Program clinics towards cat 3 upgrades.

In order to receive the full two (2) points from a USA Cycling BRP clinic, the rider must take part in all three (3) components of the BRP clinic; 1) on-bike instruction/clinic; 2) race; 3) race debrief (no partial points will be awarded for only attending one of the three components of the BRP).