Grading Changes introduced by Cycling Ireland

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SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

There were a number of motions put forward at this year’s AGM to address the Junior grading structure, although there was no consensus on the day it was agreed that a grading group would be established and come up with a new system to tackle the issue.

The grading group remit was to look at the junior situation but they were asked by Cycling Ireland to expand their remit and look at the overall grading issue.

The main issue to be addressed was the number of A3 and A4 with close to 2,500 registered in those categories and moving upwards in those categories was proving difficult for riders. The group has come up with comprehensive changes to the grading system that will fundamentally change the senior racing season.

The main changes that are being introduced are:

  1. A) A3 rider amassing 10 points in 2015 and subsequent years will be upgraded to A2 with zero points.
  2. B) A3 rider with less than 10 points at year end will carry the points earned forward to the following year.
  3. C) A4 rider on amassing 15 points, cumulative across years will be upgraded to A3
  4. D) All downgrades are on hold for 2016
  5. E) A2 rider with less than 15 points at year end will carry points earned forward to the following year.

Cycling Ireland is aware the changes being introduced will effect a number of riders, to elevate these changes, we contacted a number of race organisers particularly those race organisers at the start of the season and requested that they introduce separate A2 races, the majority of race organiser contacted agreed to introduce separate A2 races. We are hoping that these separate race categories can continue wherever possible during the year.
The success of these changes will be greatly aided by the support of the clubs and Cycling Ireland is appreciative of their support with the introduction of A2 races where possible which will assist towards the safety of our athletes
The benefits and positives that will be achieved from these changes are:

1) Reduce the ever expanding A3 numbers

2) The ability step between the A3 category and the A1/A2 category will be reduced

3) Juniors who are eligible to ride elite races can use the A2 category as the logical step

4) Reduced safety issues with large numbers in the A3 and A4 bunch’s
I hope all our members will give these changes a chance to work, that with the assistance of the race organiser I believe these will be positive changes.

Regards

Ciaran McKenna

President Cycling Ireland

FULL DETAILS OF GRADING CHANGES:

CHAPTER T3 – UPGRADING

  1. Points will be awarded on all open races in Ireland as follows: –
  2. a) In road races & criteriums up to 50km, points to be awarded 6-5-4-3-2-1;
  3. b) In A1, A2, A3 & JR road races over 50km, points to be awarded: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1;
  4. c) In A4 road races over 50km, points to be awarded: 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
  5. d) National League road races points will be awarded 12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1;
  6. e) In any road race with 20 riders or less points to be awarded 3-2-1;
  7. f) National Senior Road Race Championship – Double points as detailed in (d) above;
  8. g) National Masters and National A3 Road Race Championship, National Junior Championships,

National Women’s Championships 12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3.

  1. h) National Time Trial Championships 6-5-4-3-2-1;
  2. i) National Hill Climb Championship 6-5-4-3-2-1;
  3. j) National Criterium Championship 12-10-8-6-4-2;
  4. k) International Calendar single day races – Double points awarded as (d) above;
  5. l) Stage races – per stage as (a) and (b) above. Time Trial stage points awarded: 6-5-4-3-2-1. Final general classification points awarded: 15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
  6. m) A4 stage races – per stage as (a) and (c) above. Time Trial stages points awarded: 6-5-4-3-2-1. Final general classification points awarded: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
  7. n) International Calendar stage races – per stage as (f) and (h) above, final general classification

points to be awarded 34-32-30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6;

Points Table
Placing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
RR up to 50 Km T3.1.(a) 6 5 4 3 2 1
RR over 50Km T3.1.(b) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
A4 RR over 50km T3.1.(c) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
National League T3.1.(d) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Race <20 riders T3.1.(e) 3 2 1
National RR Champ T3.1.(f) 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2
National Masters, A3 Senior Men, Junior & Womens RR Champs T3.1.(g) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
National TT Champ T3.1.(h) 6 5 4 3 2 1
National HC Champ T3.1.(i) 6 5 4 3 2 1
National Crit Champ T3.1.(j) 12 10 8 6 4 2
UCI Race Single Day T3.1.(k) 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2
Stage Race Final GC (1) T3.1.(l) 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
A4 Stage Race Final GC (2) T3.1.(m) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
UCI Stage Race Final GC (3) T3.1.(n) 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6
UCI Stage Race Final GC A2 riders 6 4 2
Note (1) – Stage Points as (a) and (b) above in respect of road stages with 6-5-4-3-2-1 for TT Stage
Note (2) – Stage Points as (a) and (c) above in respect of road stages with 6-5-4-3-2-1 for TT Stage
Note (3) – UCI Stage Points as (f) and (h) above
Points in Handicap Races are allocated as per Scratch Races, not for placings per category

2.

(a) Newcomers to the sport will be granted an A4 licence. Holders of an A4 licence may only compete

with other A4 licence holders with the exception of handicap races and the National Masters Road Race Championships. Notwithstanding in events restricted to Juniors, Masters or Women, A4 licence holders may compete with other category riders. Those returning to the sport after an absence will normally be granted an A3 licence, however this may be reviewed following an application to the National Grading Officer.

(b) An A3 rider on amassing 10 points in 2015 and subsequent years will be upgraded to A2 with zero points.

An A3 who has amassed 10 points in 2015 or in any following calendar year, this includes the points carried from the previous year, will be upgraded to A2 with zero points

(c) An A3 rider with less than 10 points at year end will carry points earned forward to the following year.

(d) An A4 rider on amassing 15 points, cumulative across years will be upgraded to A3.

(e) Category A3 or A2 riders may opt to upgrade by one category on their first licence application for the season.

3.

(a) A junior on reaching senior grade will be categorised as A3 unless they have amassed 30 points or more in their last year as a junior in which case they will be graded as an A2 rider. At the discretion of the National Development Coach a junior who has amassed 50 points or more in their last year as a junior may be graded as A1, or if a member of a UCI registered team A+.

(b) No junior will be upgraded beyond A3 without written permission from the National Development Coach. See also T4.A2.2 and T4.A3.6.

(c) An A2 rider on amassing 15 points, this includes the points carried from the previous year, in a calendar year will be upgraded to A1, with zero points.

(d) An A2 rider with less than 15 points at year end will carry points earned forward to the following year.

(e) An A2 rider, on the first full year following their upgrade and each year thereafter, must obtain 6 points or revert back to A3 grade with 5 points. (downgrades are on hold for 2016 season)

(f) An A1 rider, on the first full year following their upgrade and each year thereafter, must obtain 6 points or revert back to A2 with 7 points.(downgrades are on hold for 2016 season)

4.

(a) Riders in the year of their 40th birthday and each year thereafter may apply for Masters designation on their licence.

(b) Masters riders in their 46th to 49th year and irrespective of their category may apply, on their first licence application for the relevant licence year, for an A2 or A3 licence with zero points brought forward. Such riders are subject to automatic upgrades during the licence year on reaching the relevant points threshold.

(c) Masters riders in their 50th or greater year and irrespective of their category may apply, on their first licence application for the relevant licence year, for an A2 or A3 licence with zero points brought forward. Such riders are exempt from automatic upgrades during the licence year unless requested by the rider on reaching the relevant points threshold.

(d) Masters riders in their 60th or greater year and irrespective of their category may apply, on their first licence application for the relevant licence year, for an A2, A3 or A4 licence with zero points brought forward. Such riders are exempt from automatic upgrades during the licence year unless requested by the rider on reaching the relevant points threshold

(e) Subject to Board approval I.V.C.A. members not in possession of a Cycling Ireland licence will be deemed to be an A3 rider

(f) Women, on their first licence application for the year, may opt for an A4,A3 or A2 licence. In any event women will not be upgraded beyond A2 but are otherwise subject to the rules for upgrading and downgrading.

  1. Upon reaching the necessary points for upgrading, the riders will submit their licence and number to Cycling Ireland for re-issue with their new category.
  2. Commissaires have the power to withdraw a rider’s licence if his points total is in excess of that required for upgrading and to submit it in accordance with rule T3.5 above.

With written permission to the appropriate National Development Coach, youth and junior development squad riders may be allowed to compete in higher classification events from 1st April. This written permission must be subject to the race commissaire prior to the start of the event, if requested. These riders will still be subject to their appropriate gear restriction.

  1. When a rider reaches the appropriate points total for re-grading the rider will be deemed to be re-graded from that point in time.
  2. When a grading dispute arises, this may be submitted to the National Grading Officer for resolution.
  3. Former International riders will normally be issued with an A1 licence. However on representation to the National Grading Officer he may be re-graded as A2 or A3.

CHAPTER T4.A2.2 JUNIORS

  1. Youth riders on reaching Junior grade will be graded as A3. Riders of junior age on joining Cycling Ireland for the first time will be graded A4.

Reference http://www.cyclingireland.ie/cycling-news-item/important-grading-changes-for-road-racers/1832

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