USA releases world cyclo-cross championship team selection criteria

USA Cycling has released selection criteria for riders hoping to qualify for the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships in Zolder, Belgium on February 2-3, 2002. The detailed document was released after receiving approval from USA Cycling’s selection committee on Friday.

Team selection procedures rely heavily on the accumulation of UCI points, which are awarded at cyclo-cross holding a UCI sanction. There are several UCI Category 2 and 3 races in the U.S. this season, though most are concentrated in the Eastern portion of the U.S., though promoters have recently added at least one UCI race in Colorado and SuperCup promoter Lyle Fulkerson is attempting to expand his UCI sanctioned series into other parts of the U.S.

Interestingly, the document released by USA Cycling begins with a detailed section specifying that the governing will assume no responsibility for the expenses of team members attending the Zolder event. USA Cycling financed the trips of five of the eight Americans selected for the 2001 World Championships in Tabor, the Czech Republic. The remaining three riders were assited by donations made to the American Cyclo-cross Foundation, a non-profit established for that purpose three years ago.

Athlete Nomination Procedures and UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup Registration Information

APPROVED 10/5/01

Primary Goal: Select and prepare the U.S. athletes most capable of producing medal-winning performances at the World Championships.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYAll athletes who qualify automatically or are otherwise selected by USA Cycling (USAC) will be responsible to pay all expenses associated with attending and competing at the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships. This includes but is not limited to airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, support and equipment.

USA Cycling will manage logistics (food, housing, transportation, race entry) for ONLY the athletes and staff who are selected for the World Championships. The World Championships will be managed similar to how the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) manages the U.S. teams at the Pan American Games and Olympic Games. In that regard, USAC will not be responsible for or manage logistics for pro team managers, pro team staff, personal coaches, athletes’ families, spouses, friends or significant others. It will be the responsibility of the athletes or staff to make separate arrangements for housing, food and transportation and they will be responsible for all costs related to any separate arrangements they might make.

Any invoices or payments that are due to USAC must be paid within four weeks of the completion of the World Championships. If USAC doesn’t receive payment in this time frame, USAC will be forced to file grievance procedures against an athlete in order to suspend his or her racing license until the funds due to USAC are paid in full. Further, any and all equipment belonging to USAC will be returned to USAC at the end of the World Championships.

IMPORTANT – Age/Category Information – Per Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations (Part V, Cyclo-cross Races, rule 5.1.001)”A rider’s category for the entire season will be the same as his category on the 1st of January that is included in that season.” This means that, in races governed by UCI regulations, athletes will be required to race in the age category in which they will be eligible in 2002 not 2001. So, for example, a junior male athlete who has a race age of 18 in 2001 must ride in the Under 23 category of any UCI cyclo-cross race in the fall of 2001 and, of course, in January 2002. Further, a junior male athlete who has a race age of 16 in 2001 must ride in the 17-18 category of any UCI cyclo-cross race in the fall of 2001 and January 2002. Finally, a male athlete who has a race age of 22 in 2001 must ride in the elite category of any UCI cyclo-cross race in the fall of 2001 and January 2002.

QUALIFYING EVENTSSelection will be based on final, official results from the qualifying events identified as qualifying criteria. Mechanical problems and crashes are a part of cycling. Therefore, USAC will not consider an athlete’s position or placing in an event or events at the time the athlete experienced a mechanical problem or crashed or went off course as a determining factor for selection.

ELIGIBILITY

For all events: Elite men and women; Under 23 men; junior men; only those athletes who automatically qualify for the World Championships, or are nominated by USAC can represent the United States at the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships. All athletes must be U.S. citizens, have a valid USAC International Racing License and meet all eligibility requirements of USA Cycling, the UCI and the USOC. All athletes must be in good standing with USA Cycling, USOC, UCI and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

All athletes who are selected to participate in USADA’s “No Advance Notice” testing program must have all USADA forms completed and updated in order to be eligible to compete at World Championships.

All athletes nominated to the World Championship team must sign prior to and as a condition of being selected to the team, regardless of whether the athlete’s selection is automatic or discretionary, and abide by USA Cycling’s Code of Conduct (see Attachment A) and any other required USA Cycling member agreements. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the World Championship Team. Failure to abide by these agreements will result in dismissal from the World Championship Team.All athletes and staff must abide by all USA Cycling, USOC, UCI and USADA anti-doping regulations prior to, during and after the World Championship competition.Per UCI anti-doping regulations, an athlete will be considered ineligible to be nominated or compete at the World Championships if he or she has a “doping fact”, which is defined by the UCI as any athlete who has received notification of a positive outcome of the “A” sample from a drug test.The number of athlete start positions per event and category is determined in each event by the UCI.

These nomination procedures have been developed based on the most recent information supplied by UCI regarding the events, athlete participation, team qualification and team size. USA Cycling’s nomination procedures may be subject to change based on the final international and domestic racing calendars and/or updated information from the UCI.

ALTERNATE AND REPLACEMENT ATHLETESAlternates may be nominated in each discipline. If alternates are named, they will be prioritized and may be selected to replace a qualified or nominated athlete.

Athlete Replacement PolicyNominated athletes may be replaced if injury or illness (certified by a USA Cycling or USOC physician) prevents them from 100 percent participation in the World Championships competition.

If an athlete is removed by ineligibility, illness or injury, positive drug testing for a banned substance or fails medical control procedures; voluntarily resigns, or is a recipient of USA Cycling, UCI or USOC disciplinary actions, the athlete may be replaced by an athlete who is nominated by the National Coaching Staff using the principles of discretion outlined for each discipline. Any replacement of athletes must comply with UCI regulations and entry deadlines. The first priority in nominating replacement athletes will be those athletes who qualified for the World Championship long team (see each discipline’s qualifying criteria for possible long team qualification).

Discretionary Athlete NominationThe purpose of discretionary athlete nomination is to allow USAC the ability to recommend the best physically, psychologically and technically prepared athlete in order to produce medal-winning and/or top-eight performances at the World Championships. Based on the context of the situation, the USA Cycling National Coaching Staff will evaluate which athletes can be nominated to the team in order to field the strongest, most sound and unified team for the World Championships. The discretion shall be based on the criteria applicable to the respective event. The principles of discretion that apply to each discipline are listed after the automatic qualifying criteria in each discipline.

AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION EVENTSThere will be two automatic qualification events in the United States:1. The Elite USCF Cyclo-cross National Championships that are scheduled for Saturday, December 15 will serve as the automatic qualification event for elite men and elite women only.2. The UCI calendar Super Cup event that is scheduled for Sunday, December 16, 2001, will serve as the automatic qualification event for the junior men and Under 23 men, since athletes must race in the age category in which they will be eligible in 2002 per UCI regulations. If the Super Cup UCI calendar event referenced above is canceled or the UCI regulations are not enforced for all riders, the event will NOT be used as an automatic qualification event for the World Championships.

PETITION PROCESSIMPORTANT – MANDATORY FOR ALL CATEGORIES: Athletes who do not qualify automatically and wish to be considered for discretionary selection must send a petition to USA Cycling requesting consideration to be nominated to the World Championship team. The petition must address why an athlete should be considered for nomination based on the “2002 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross World Championship Athlete Nomination Procedures” for each event and/or discipline. All petitions must be submitted to USAC no later than 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on December 18, 2001. Petitions can be sent by fax to 719/578-4764, attention Jiri Mainus or by email to [email protected]

The USA Cycling Selection Committee will review and approve all discretionary athlete nominations. FINAL World Championship Nomination Dates: USA Cycling will announce the athletes who automatically qualified for the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships on December 17, 2001. Those athletes who didn’t automatically qualify but were selected by USA Cycling will be announced by January 4, 2002.

ELITE MEN

Men: Maximum of five start positions

Automatic Qualification (in order of priority):

1. The winner (first place) of the elite men’s USCF Cyclo-cross National Championship race scheduled for Saturday, December 15, 2001.

2. Any athlete who finished in the top eight (8) in the Elite Men Cyclo-Cross event at the 2001 World Championships. The eligible athlete must continue to demonstrate a consistent level of top-eight capability during the 2001-02 racing season. The fitness level will be monitored based on results from World Cup events, National Championships and other USA Cycling designated competition. If an athlete can’t or won’t participate in designated activities or events, he may forfeit his automatic selection.

3. Any U.S. rider with a top twenty (20) finish in a 2001-02 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup by December 16, 2001. If more than one athlete finishes in the top twenty, the rider with the best placing or placings will qualify automatically while any other athletes will qualify for the cyclo-cross World Championship long team.

4. The highest ranked U.S. athlete in the 2001-02 UCI Cyclo-Cross overall ranking, as of December 16, 2001 if he is ranked in the top 25.

Discretionary Athlete Nominations: Additional athletes may be selected based on the following principles of discretion, by order of priority.

1. A history of strong performance in international elite Cyclo-Cross competition. UCI World Cup results will be the first priority. Athletes must have finished, at a minimum, in the top thirty (30) elite men in a 2001 UCI World Cup by December 16, 2001.

2. The top three (3) ranked U.S. athletes in the UCI Cyclo-Cross races overall rankings in elite men category as of December 16, 2001.

3. Or recent improvement in elite domestic results.

ELITE WOMEN

Women (born in 1985 and older): Maximum of five start positions

Automatic Qualification by order of priority:

1. The winner (first place) of the elite women’s USCF Cyclo-cross National Championship race scheduled for Saturday, December 15, 2001.

2. Any athlete who finished in the top eight (8) in the Women Cyclo-Cross event at the 2001 World Championships, granted that athlete is eligible to compete in the Women category in the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships. The eligible athlete must continue to demonstrate a consistent level of top eight capability during the 2001-02 racing season. The fitness level will be monitored based on results from UCI category races, National Championships and other USA Cycling designated competition. If an athlete can’t or won’t participate in designated activities or events, he may forfeit his automatic selection.

3. The highest ranked U.S woman in the 2001-02 UCI cyclo-cross overall ranking in the elite women’s category, as of December 16, 2001 if she is ranked in the top 15.

Discretionary Athlete Nominations: additional athletes may be selected based on the following principles of discretion:

1. The top three (3) ranked U.S. elite women athletes in the UCI Cyclo-Cross overall rankings in elite women category as of December 16, 2001.

2. Recent improvement in elite domestic results with emphasis on UCI calendar events.

UNDER 23 MEN

Under 23 Men (born 1980-1983): Maximum of five start positions

Automatic Qualification by order of priority:

1. The top placing U.S., eligible athlete of the Under 23 category race scheduled as part of the UCI calendar Super Cup event on Sunday, December 16, 2001 only if he finishes in the top five of that event.

2. Any athlete who finished in the top eight (8) in the Under 23 Cyclo-Cross event at the 2001 World Championships, granted that athlete is eligible to compete in the Under 23 category in the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships. The eligible athlete must continue to demonstrate a consistent level of top eight capability during the 2001-02 racing season. The fitness level will be monitored based on results from World Cup events, National Championships and other USA Cycling designated competition. If an athlete can’t or won’t participate in designated activities or events, he may forfeit his automatic selection.

3. Any eligible Under 23 category athlete with a top thirty (30) finish in a 2001-02 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup by December 16, 2001.

4. The highest-ranked Under 23 athlete in the 2001 UCI overall ranking in Under 23 category, as of December 16, 2001 if he is ranked in the top 20.

Discretionary Athlete Nominations: additional athletes may be selected based on the following principles of discretion:

1. A history of strong performance in international Cyclo-Cross competition including Under 23 category results in UCI calendar events. UCI World Cup results will be the first priority. Athletes must have finished, at a minimum, in the top thirty (30) elite men in a 2001 UCI World Cup by December 16, 2001.

2. Recent improvement in elite domestic events with emphasis on UCI calendar events.

3. Top three (3) athletes in UCI Cyclo-Cross races overall under-23 category rankings as of December 16, 2001.

JUNIOR MEN

Junior Men (born 1984 or 1985): Maximum of five start positions

Automatic Qualification by order of priority:

1. The top placing U.S., eligible athlete of the men’s Junior category race scheduled as part of the UCI calendar Super Cup event on Sunday, December 16, 2001 only if he finishes in the top 5 of that event.

2. Any athlete who finished in the top eight (8) in the Junior Cyclo-Cross event at the 2001 World Championships, granted that athlete is eligible to compete in the Junior category in the 2002 World Cyclo-cross Championships. The eligible athlete must continue to demonstrate a consistent level of top eight capability during the 2001-02 racing season. The fitness level will be monitored based on results from UCI Cyclo-Cross races, National Championships and other USA Cycling designated competition. If an athlete can’t or won’t participate in designated activities or events, he may forfeit his automatic selection.

3. The highest-ranked athlete in the 2001 UCI overall rankings in the Junior category 17-18, as of December 16, 2001.

Discretionary Athlete Nominations: additional athletes may be selected based on the following principles of discretion:

1. Recent improvement in Juniors (17-18) category domestic results with an emphasis on UCI Calendar events.

2. Top three (3) U.S. athletes in UCI Cyclo-Cross overall junior rankings as of December 16, 2001.

UCI ELITE & UNDER 23 CYCLO-CROSS RACES POINTS SCALES

* UCI World Cup and UCI races category 3,2,1, are only recognized for Elite and Under 23 men’s categories. The UCI & USA Cycling as selection will use this ranking for the Cyclo-Cross World Championship.

UCI ELITE & UNDER 23 CYCLO-CROSS RACES POINTS SCALES

* UCI World Cup and UCI races category 3,2,1, are only recognized for Elite and Under 23 men’s categories. The UCI & USA Cycling as selection will use this ranking for the Cyclo-Cross World Championship.

UCI Category 3 1. – 25 Points
2. – 15
3. – 10
4. – 5
5. – 3

UCI Category 21. – 50 Points
Points2. – 25
3. – 20
4. – 10
5. – 8
6. – 7
7. – 6
8. – 5
9. – 4
10. – 3
UCI Category 11. – 80
2. – 40
3. – 32
4. – 25
5. – 20
6. – 18
7. – 16
8. – 14
9. – 12
10. – 10
11. – 9
12. – 8
13. – 7
14. – 6
15. – 5

U.S. National Championships Elite Men1. – 100
2. – 50
3. – 40
4. – 35
5. – 30
6. – 25
7. – 20
8. – 15
9. – 10
10. – 5

U.S. National Championships U-231. – 50
2. – 25
3. – 20
4. – 17
5. – 15
6. – 12
7. – 10
8. – 8
9. – 5
10. – 2
11. – 9
12. – 8
13. – 7
14. – 6
15. – 5

UCI World Cup1. – 200
2. – 150
3. – 100
4. – 70
5. – 60
6. – 50
7. – 45
8. – 40
9. – 35
10. – 30
11. – 25
12. – 19
13. – 18
14. – 17
15. – 16
16-30 – 15-1
ELITE WOMEN & JUNIORS MEN 17-18 CYCLO-CROSS RACES POINTS SCALES

* * USA Cycling recognizes these UCI category races for National ranking and World Championship Selection. USA Cycling will track these rankings from results of UCI calendar events and National Championships.PlaceUCI Category 3 1. – 25 Points
2. – 15
3. – 10
4. – 5
5. – 3

UCI Category 21. – 50 Points
Points2. – 25
3. – 20
4. – 10
5. – 8
6. – 7
7. – 6
8. – 5
9. – 4
10. – 3

UCI Category 11. – 80
2. – 40
3. – 32
4. – 25
5. – 20
6. – 18
7. – 16
8. – 14
9. – 12
10. – 10
11. – 9
12. – 8
13. – 7
14. – 6
15. – 5

U.S. National Championships Elite Women1. – 100
2. – 50
3. – 40
4. – 35
5. – 30
6. – 25
7. – 20
8. – 15
9. – 10
10. – 5

U.S. National Championships Junior men1. – 50
2. – 25
3. – 20
4. – 17
5. – 15
6. – 12
7. – 10
8. – 8
9. – 5
10. – 2

2001-2002 UCI CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUP Registration Procedures

Individual Athlete Eligibility and Event Entry Instructions:

Per UCI regulations, the UCI World Cup is an individual open competition for all Elite Men and Under 23 riders who shall compete in the same race. All requests for entry by U.S. athletes for the World Cups must be sent to USA Cycling by the entry deadline for each World Cup event. The deadline for athletes to submit their entries to USA Cycling is by the 3 p.m. MST deadline on the entry form. The final official entry forms will be submitted by USA Cycling directly to the UCI 30 days prior to the World Cup start date. Only entries submitted to the address below will be accepted. Participation is as follows: The first 10 nations of the final World Cup classification of the previous season: minimum three and maximum five riders designated by the National Federation. All other nations: maximum five riders designated by the National Federation. Thirty (30) days before the race, the National Federation shall send the entry forms to the UCI and race organizer with their selection of a maximum of 9 riders. Three (3) days before the race, the National Federation shall fax to the UCI and the organizer, the final names of the riders (minimum two and maximum five) and the reserves (maximum four). The selection of 9 athletes for the long list 30 days before the competition: The first four (4) under 23 and first four (4) elite men U.S. athletes determined by UCI points at the time of the UCI entry deadline. One (1) additional athlete may be selected from the Elite or Under 23 athletes and added to the long list for a total of 9 entered athletes. The final confirmation of a maximum five (5) athletes three days before competition: The final team of maximum of five (5) athletes will be entered on the basis of the UCI ranking five (5) days before each World Cup from the UCI rankings at the time of the UCI final entry. All entries to the World Cup after the selection of the 2002 Cyclo-Cross World Championship Team (January 4, 2002) will be available on a priority basis to the members of the World Championship Team elite men and U-23 men up to a maximum of five (5) members by priority of their UCI ranking. If there are World Cup start positions available, they will be made available to non-World Championship team members on a first-come, first-served basis per UCI deadlines. All athletes will be responsible for all costs associated with attending and competing in World Cup races. If you submitted an entry form, but will not be able to attend, please notify the UCI at [email protected] and Jiri Mainus at USA Cycling: [email protected] It is your responsibility to cancel with the UCI. The UCI will fine all no-shows. Each athlete will be responsible to pay any UCI fine for cancellation or no-show. For Junior, Women and Masters support races at the World Cups, please contact each organizer directly. Their contacts can be found on the UCI website. Do not use these entry forms. World Cup Entry Forms should be faxed to: Jiri Mainus at 719/578-4764 or mailed to Jiri Mainus, USA Cycling, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. If mailing, remember to allow time to meet the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.

2001-2002 UCI CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUPRegistration Procedures

Individual Athlete Eligibility and Event Entry Instructions:1. Per UCI regulations, the UCI World Cup is an individual open competition for all Elite Men and Under 23 riders who shall compete in the same race.

2. All requests for entry by U.S. athletes for the World Cups must be sent to USA Cycling by the entry deadline for each World Cup event. The deadline for athletes to submit their entries to USA Cycling is by the 3 p.m. MST deadline on the entry form. The final official entry forms will be submitted by USA Cycling directly to the UCI 30 days prior to the World Cup start date. Only entries submitted to the address below will be accepted.

3. Participation is as follows:The first 10 nations of the final World Cup classification of the previous season: minimum three and maximum five riders designated by the National Federation. All other nations: maximum five riders designated by the National Federation.

4. Thirty (30) days before the race, the National Federation shall send the entry forms to the UCI and race organizer with their selection of a maximum of 9 riders. Three (3) days before the race, the National Federation shall fax to the UCI and the organizer, the final names of the riders (minimum two and maximum five) and the reserves (maximum four).

5. The selection of 9 athletes for the long list 30 days before the competition: The first four (4) under 23 and first four (4) elite men U.S. athletes determined by UCI points at the time of the UCI entry deadline. One (1) additional athlete may be selected from the Elite or Under 23 athletes and added to the long list for a total of 9 entered athletes.

6. The final confirmation of a maximum five (5) athletes three days before competition: The final team of maximum of five (5) athletes will be entered on the basis of the UCI ranking five (5) days before each World Cup from the UCI rankings at the time of the UCI final entry.

7. All entries to the World Cup after the selection of the 2002 Cyclo-Cross World Championship Team (January 4, 2002) will be available on a priority basis to the members of the World Championship Team elite men and U-23 men up to a maximum of five (5) members by priority of their UCI ranking. If there are World Cup start positions available, they will be made available to non-World Championship team members on a first-come, first-served basis per UCI deadlines. All athletes will be responsible for all costs associated with attending and competing in World Cup races.

8. If you submitted an entry form, but will not be able to attend, please notify the UCI at [email protected] and Jiri Mainus at USA Cycling: [email protected] It is your responsibility to cancel with the UCI. The UCI will fine all no-shows. Each athlete will be responsible to pay any UCI fine for cancellation or no-show.

9. For Junior, Women and Masters support races at the World Cups, please contact each organizer directly. Their contacts can be found on the UCI website. Do not use these entry forms.

World Cup Entry Forms should be faxed to: Jiri Mainus at 719/578-4764 or mailed to Jiri Mainus, USA Cycling, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. If mailing, remember to allow time to meet the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.