T
Tritonrider
Guest
I just recieved a copy the the USAC rules changes, most I have no problem with, one really pisses me
off and points out USACs thinking. They talk grass roots, develop your juniors safely, let's bring
in more new riders, etc. They have just changed the eligibility for 15/16 and 17/18 to cats 123. For
17/18 I agree with this. At the national level 17/18s should be at that level and have established
connections. limiting the 15/16s to 123 doesn't make sense for a couple of reasons IMHO.
18. You are forcing younger riders into races with older riders who will abuse and take out kids
just for being there.
19. There are 14 year old 4s who have done well at Nats and planned to continue to gain experience
this year and upgrade during the year. This will force them to race harder earlier to attempt
to upgrade before nats, maybe get some "help" to get enough points to upgrade.
20. There are very few big races, FCCC being a fantastic one, that give young riders the chance to
meet development teams, sponsor people, other racers from around the country and network. Nats
is a big experience for young racers.
21. They site safety. I was there this year, a lot of the problems were caused by a few sprinters
keeping the races together. In the 13/14 men they almost neutralised the race because they
wouldnt race any more than to catch any break attempt then sat down again. The inexperienced or
weaker riders were either shelled out the back almost immediately, or pulled from the crits.
They had a very quick hook. Another factor is the bulletproof teen mentality. Lots of
testosterone fueled agression on display. Keeping cat 4s in the 15/16 would give them more time
to develop, live a real life off the bike, and help avoid overtraining type injuries. Obviously
USAC doesn't consider well rounded development to be an important factor. I am not ranting
because this effects us either. We were, and are not planning on doing nats this year. Robert is
5'8" weighs 118 lbs. and climbs like a scared cat. Last year he wanted to do the Espoir Nats
course, he loves to climb, doesn't help much with on a basically flat course with the
sprinters/crit specialists keeping things together. Bill C.
off and points out USACs thinking. They talk grass roots, develop your juniors safely, let's bring
in more new riders, etc. They have just changed the eligibility for 15/16 and 17/18 to cats 123. For
17/18 I agree with this. At the national level 17/18s should be at that level and have established
connections. limiting the 15/16s to 123 doesn't make sense for a couple of reasons IMHO.
18. You are forcing younger riders into races with older riders who will abuse and take out kids
just for being there.
19. There are 14 year old 4s who have done well at Nats and planned to continue to gain experience
this year and upgrade during the year. This will force them to race harder earlier to attempt
to upgrade before nats, maybe get some "help" to get enough points to upgrade.
20. There are very few big races, FCCC being a fantastic one, that give young riders the chance to
meet development teams, sponsor people, other racers from around the country and network. Nats
is a big experience for young racers.
21. They site safety. I was there this year, a lot of the problems were caused by a few sprinters
keeping the races together. In the 13/14 men they almost neutralised the race because they
wouldnt race any more than to catch any break attempt then sat down again. The inexperienced or
weaker riders were either shelled out the back almost immediately, or pulled from the crits.
They had a very quick hook. Another factor is the bulletproof teen mentality. Lots of
testosterone fueled agression on display. Keeping cat 4s in the 15/16 would give them more time
to develop, live a real life off the bike, and help avoid overtraining type injuries. Obviously
USAC doesn't consider well rounded development to be an important factor. I am not ranting
because this effects us either. We were, and are not planning on doing nats this year. Robert is
5'8" weighs 118 lbs. and climbs like a scared cat. Last year he wanted to do the Espoir Nats
course, he loves to climb, doesn't help much with on a basically flat course with the
sprinters/crit specialists keeping things together. Bill C.