Draft Calendar & Grading For 2011

CATEGORY GUIDELINES FOR 2011 ROAD RACING SEASON

Following the feedback received from the members of Cycling Ireland the Cycling Ireland Road Commission has decided to remain with the current Ability Grading System for 2011 with the exception of some minor changes. See below for the procedure for managing the Ability Grading System for 2011.

A+
Consist of riders registered with UCI registered teams.

A1
Consisting of A1 riders from the 2010 season and those riders who apply for an A1 licence. A1 riders will start the 2011 season with 0 points.
Riders who finish the 2010 season with zero points will be eligible to downgrade to a minimum of A2. Riders who opt for the downgrade will be graded as an A2 with 7 points at the beginning of the 2011 season. Applications for downgrade will only be accepted during the month of November 2010 and June 2011 (halfway through the season) to the National Grading Officer via grading@cyclingireland.ie
Riders upgraded from A2 in the 2010 season must remain as an A1 for the entire 2011 season.
A1 riders in the year of their 50th birthday or any year thereafter may apply for an
A2 licence before the commencement of the following season.

A2
Consisting of A2 riders from the 2010 season and those riders who apply for an A2 licence. A2 riders who scored points during the 2010 season will carry over 50% of their year end total into the 2011 season, rounded down.
Riders who finish the 2010 season with zero points will only be eligible for downgrade on application to the National Grading Officer via the e mail : grading@cyclingireland.ie . Such applications will only be received during the months of November 2010 and June 2011. (halfway through the season).
Successful downgrades will see the rider categorized as an A3 with 7 points at the beginning of the 2011 season.
Riders upgraded from A3 in the 2010 season must remain as an A2 for the entire 2011 season unless upgraded further.

A3
Consisting of A3 riders from the 2010 season and those riders who apply for an A3 licence. A3 riders who scored points during the 2010 season will carry over 50% of their year end total into the 2011 season, rounded down.

A4
Consisting of current A4 riders and new members to competitive racing. Former International Riders are not eligible for A4. Organizers are encouraged to promote A4 only races. Such races will not be in excess of 80km. A4s may race with other categories in a handicap situation only subject to the 80km distance restriction. A4s will not be allowed to compete in ANY stage race with any of the other categories.
A4s who scored points in 2010 will carry forward 100% of the points scored into 2011.
The maximum number of prizes to be presented will not exceed the first 6 places.

JUNIORS
First year Juniors can start the 2011 season as either an A2/A3/A4 .
Second year Juniors will remain in the category they finished in at the end of the 2010 season.
Juniors in the A2 group will also be eligible to be upgraded to A1 if they reach the required points total. Due to the small number of races over 120km in length the distance restriction for Junior riders will be lifted.
Junior riders must adhere to the Maximum Gear Roll Out of 7.93 Metres no matter what category they are in.

GRADING POINTS
The number of points required to move through the categories have changed for the 2011 Season. The new targets are :
A4 to A3 = 10 points
A3 to A2 = 15 points
A2 to A1 = 15 points

I.V.C.A
I.V.C.A members who don’t have a current Cycling Ireland Licence competing in a Cycling Ireland event will automatically be graded as an A3. If in possession of a current Cycling Ireland Licence the category stated on this will take priority.