USA Cycling Rulebook - How To Increase Road Categories

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I thought this would be useful info for anyone starting from the beginning. This will tell you how to move up from Category 5 to Category 4 to Category 3, etc...
"1D2. Road Upgrades
(a) Guidelines and Notes by Category:
  • 5-4: Experience in 10 mass start races.
  • Local Associations may also establish policies where upgrade credit is given for taking a USA Cycling sanctioned rider education clinic.
  • 4-3: 20 points in any 12-month period; or experience in 25 qualifying races with a minimum of 10 top ten finishes with fields of 30 riders or more, or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50. 30 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade. USAC-sanctioned rider Camps and Clinics that are approved by the Local Associations for upgrading will count a maximum of 3 upgrade points when upgrading from category 4 to category 3.
  • 3-2: 25 points in any 12-month period
  • 40 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade
  • 2-1: 30 points in any 12-month period**
  • 50 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade
USA Cycling may add additional requirements for upgrading at their discretion. Any such changes shall be made available on the website. USA Cycling Sanctioned and Administered Development Camps, will count as one qualifying race for category 5 to 4 upgrades. It will also count as 3 upgrade points for a category 4 to 3 upgrade.


(b) Qualifying Distances for each category
To qualify for upgrading points, races must meet distance standards. Races shorter than the minimum distance do not qualify for upgrading. However, if a road race is less than the road race minimum but above the criterium minimum, it will count for upgrading using the criterium points schedule" -USAC Rulebook


The chart below shows you how many points you can get at Criteriums and Circuit Races based on number of racers and your position. Pretty intimidating...
Road racing:
Stage races and G.C.

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