Racing

Mountain Bike Race Information

Riders participating in sanctioned events are responsible for knowing the current regulations. Copies of the Canadian Cycling Association Regulations are available from the ABA office, or online at www.canadiancycling.ca

All licensed riders will receive a number plate at their first race which will be used at most ABA-sanctioned DH races for the full race season.  Replacement plates are available at a cost of $10, from the ABA office. Riders forgetting to bring their plates to an event may purchase a plate from the organizer or ABA official ($10).

Registration for ABA-sanctioned Mountain Bike races is typically done in advance; late fees may be imposed for entries received within 3 days of the event. Race-day registration may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Organizer.

Please be aware, some events have field limits, which may be reached well in advance of the event. Riders are urged to register early.

Event details are available from Race Organizers, and on the ABA website in the calendar and in the news section.  They will also be communicated via ABA email updates. Last minute changes, such as weather-induced postponements, will be communicated by email, and will also be posted on the ABA website.

Common  Alberta Cup Points Schedules

(Road, MTB, Track, Cyclo-cross)

Place	Schedule A	Schedule B
1	25	20
2	20	15
3	15	12
4	12	10
5	10	8
6	8	6
7	6	4
8	4	2
9	2	-
10	1	-

Downhill Upgrading

Downhill Upgrading – Men

Male Downhill riders will be upgraded by the number of Alberta Cup points earned, In addition to achieving two podium placings (U17/Junior/Senior/Master Sport and Expert riders), over the course of two consecutive seasons:

a) Riders in the Sport categories will be upgraded upon earning 40 Alberta Cup points over the course of two seasons.

b) Riders in the Expert category will be upgraded upon earning 50 Alberta Cup points over the course of two seasons.

c) In order to earn an upgrade, riders in the Sport and Expert categories must, in addition to earning sufficient points, demonstrate competitive ability by achieving at least two podium placings; such podium results need not be separate performances from those performances included in earning the requisite number of points.

d) Riders graduating from Junior Expert will be placed directly into Senior Elite if, over the course of their final Junior season, they have achieved one of the following:

1. Selection to the Canadian National MTB Team
2. Top-3 result at a Canada Cup in Junior Expert
3. Top-5 result at National DH Championship in Junior Expert
4. Attained 50 or more Alberta Cup DH points

e) Both U15 and U13 riders compete as their own category.  Because of this, upgrade points are not awarded.  Riders graduating from U15 are placed into U17 Sport.

f) All Canada Cups and BC Cups count for Schedule "B" upgrade points.  It is incumbent on the rider to provide supporting documentation of these results to the ABA.

Downhill Upgrading – Women

Female Downhill riders will not be upgraded according to Alberta Cup points accrued; rather, such riders will be upgraded on the basis of Top-3 performances and average speed (or lap time). To be eligible for an upgrade, Sport and Expert riders must, over the course of two consecutive seasons, meet criteria identified in (a):

a) Riders in the Sport and Expert categories (Junior, Senior, or Master) must demonstrate competitive ability in the higher category by achieving, on at least two occasions:

• A finishing time that would place them amongst the top half of finishers in the next higher category.

b) Graduating Junior Expert female riders will be placed directly in Senior Elite if, over the course of their final junior season they have achieved one of the following criteria:

1. Top-3 result at a Canada Cup in Junior Expert
2. Top-5 result at the Canadian National DH Championships in Junior Expert
3. Selection to the Canadian National MTB Team

Such riders must also demonstrate competitive ability by achieving,
on at least two occasions:

• A finishing time that would place them amongst the top half of finishers in the Senior Elite category.

c) Due to the small number of female DH racers, in exceptional cases racers may apply in writing to the Racing Committee for an early upgrade.