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UPGRADING

 

Upgrading is the process by which a rider moves into a higher racing category. In order to upgrade riders must meet certain requirements as listed below. Only mass start road races that meet the minimum field size and distance requirements count towards upgrading. Time Trials, Mountan Bike races, club training rides, and Cyclocross races don't count towards road race upgrades. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Please note that only points/experience earned at races sanctioned by USA Cycling or at a foreign race sanctioned by a UCI affiliated federation will count towards a rider's upgrade.
• We do not process upgrades at a race.
• If you want to upgrade for a race on Sunday, submit your request no later than the previous Monday
• We do not consider triathlon experience as a way to move to a higher category when applying for your first license.
• If you have not raced in several years, it is your decision if you you want to come back in the same category or if you would feel more comfortable downgrading one category. Once you downgrade, you will be required to earn the necessary upgrade points to get back to your original category.
• Upgrade points are calculated using the tables listed below. SoCal Cup points are not the same and have no bearing on your upgrade. Points that USA Cycling calculates you have earned in races and are found on the "Results" tab on your account page...are not upgrade points.
• There are no GC points for an Omnium race
• Only Cat 2s and Cat 3s can earn GC points from a Stage Race.
• Points or races used for an upgrade cannot be used for subsequent upgrades. Once you upgrade, you start with zero points/races towards your next upgrade level.

How to Properly Format a Résumé for an Upgrade Request

When requesting an upgrade, please use the following format for posting your résumé with your upgrade request:

 

How to upgrade up to Cat 4, Cat 3, Cat 2 or Cat 1 on the Road or Cross  

All upgrade requests are processed using the on-line system at http://www.usacycling.org Please do not email your upgrade request to anyone at the SCNCA. Go to your account page on the USAC web site and click on the upgrade/downgrade link near the bottom of the page across from your license Info. Be sure to include all relevant information in the section where you enter your resume info (race name, date and year, category, placing, and field size).

 

When you log into your account, simply select the "License" tab

 

That will take you to the details about your license. Click on the "Upgrade/Downgrade" link.

 

That will take you to the "Upgrade/Downgrade" page. Select the category you wish to upgrade to and put in your resume in the comments box.

When you are finished, click on the "Upgrade/Downgrade" box and your request will be sent to the SCNCA for approval. You should hear back within three days. If you are unclear of the field size, just put down a question mark and we will find it. Please understand that we confirm all race finishes and entries in your resume. Please do not email the SCNCA with your upgrade request. You will be directed to submit your request on-line and you will have wasted a couple of days.

Calculating Upgrade Points

This may seem a little confusing, but it is actually pretty simple to understand. There just a few things you need to know:

• How many points do you need and what is the time period you can earn the. If you are a Cat 5, there is no time restriction as to when you have to have entered your ten races. If you are a Cat 4, there is no time limit to count races based on experience. Upgrading by earning points is based on ANY 12-month period...not just the current 12 month period.

• Don't worry about distances and time. Almost every race in SoCal exceeds the minimums

• Based on your field size and placing, calculate your points total. Keep in mind that if you are a Cat 4 and using results from a Cat 4/5 race with 75 riders, you can only count the number of Cat 4s in determining the field size for your points. On the other hand, if you did a Cat 3/4 race, you can count the entire field.

Cyclocross Upgrades