Grading And Licence Categories

The subject of rider’s categories is very controversial and following on from the proposal accepted at the 2007 AGM to categories veterans there has been many comments made
both verbally and on line. The general consensus seems to be that the decision made at congress whilst it may help to solve the handicapping of vets in Ulster, it could have a detrimental effect on vets racing in the other provinces.

There were also numerous other proposals relating to categories referred to the road commission from the above mentioned meeting but not a word has been heard back from the commission.

If we look at each of our rider groups only the seniors are categorised on ability with juniors and vets in an age grouping whilst there is no category system for women only. The juniors have recently been graded by the Performance Director and some of his staff into those who are being streamed for international competition being put into events generally outside the distance they are permitted to race over.

The problem really comes about through the vets whose numbers are increasing year on year and there is such a wide gulf between the super vets and, shall we say, normal vets.

Several people have voiced their opinion that maybe CI is reaching the situation where all categories should be based on ability.

I would suggest the following as a point to start discussions on categorisation by ability, hence the classification A.

Category A+ :- Riders who are on UCI registered teams.

Category A1 :- Current 1st. cats.

Category A2 :- Current 2nd cats plus vets deemed by the National Grading Officer in conjunction with the Provincial Grading Officers to be Super Vets. Current juniors deemed by the Performance Director to be “elite” juniors.

Category A3 :- Current 3rd cats with CI ranking points. Generally the rest of the vets and juniors plus the bulk of the women riders.

Category A4 :- Remainder of current 3rd cats. Vets just in it for a bit of fun. Women riders still finding their feet. “Underdeveloped” juniors. Newcomers.

I realise that the initial setting up of the system will depend to a large degree on trying to assess the ability of vets, juniors and women and in this respect the grading officers, Performance Director and women’s commission will have to play major parts but it will still be a bit hit and miss until it settles down and points are accumulated to hopefully slot people into their ability category level.

The various terms, junior, vet etc could remain and a rider could be classified as “junior A2” or “veteran A3”.

The question of points required for moving categories etc would have a big effect on the success of the system and I would not be prepared to put a lot of time into this unless the concept was accepted. Another determining effect on the success is having an effective on line ranking system and I fell that the recently appointed Executive Officer with his background should be able to ensure that Servicesport can produce this.

The question then is how do we fit these categories into races, if I try to hazard a guess at the numbers involved in these – they may be off the wall but it is just to get a feel for relative size.

A+ Approx 25 - 35
A1 Approx 200 - 250
A2 Approx 200 - 300
A3 Approx 500 - 600
A4 Approx 300 – 400

Organisers will need to give a bit of thought on who they are offering events for with regards to restricted stage races etc.

But this would all need consideration.

It is important to say that we would not get rid of the Veterans class, as this is important for a large number of our members, but the vast majority of our racing should be based on Ability, with the Veterans class only applying to leagues and championships.