Comments on: 2007 Fitchburg-Longsjo Race Report - Stage 1 TT

By: Brayt

Brayt — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:12:15 +0000

If you win a race like Fitchburg on GC with a stage or two along the way does that pretty much punch your upgrade ticket? Does USCF have mandatory upgrading to (try to) prevent sandbagging?

By: cosmo

cosmo — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:28:26 +0000

For 3 to 2 upgrades, you need a minimum of 25 points in a 12 month period. Mandatory upgrades require 60. That’s a big gap.

I think winning a stage race is 20, but you can’t get more than 20 points from a single stage race, even if you win every stage.

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580

By: solobreak

solobreak — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:34:11 +0000

I’ve been told that the “mandatory” upgrade for 60 pointers just means they can’t turn you down, i.e. you can still sandbag if you want to. Only the feds no for sure. It could be worse. Several years back when Fitchburg was just a crit, it paid $500 to win the Cat 3’s, and the “winner” was an imposter Cat 2 racing with his buddies license. Another out of stater recognized him dropped a dime, ending the ploy.

By: Josef

Josef — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:40:06 +0000

In defense of ’sandbagger’, you probably have more upgrade pts. than he does - looks like he’s a good TTer though.

By: cosmo

cosmo — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:02:46 +0000

For the record, I have five upgrade points.

I wasn’t singling out the guy who won the TT specifically. Many of the riders toward the front of my field have lots and lots of upgrade points and just haven’t upgraded yet. Like the guy who won 3 of 4 points sprints today and came in 2nd in the one he didn’t win.

By: JB

JB — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:25:45 +0000

I doubt Roy even has the minimum points; if he does, he’s just over. he upgraded to the 3s last summer. Good luck at the RR today!

By: cosmo

cosmo — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 02:14:32 +0000

The IF guys were telling me Roy was scoring points in 3 races last year at this time. I could have been misinformed or misinterpreted, I suppose, but they were definitely quick to give him the SB label.

By: Fat guy on an expensive bike

Fat guy on an expensive bike — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:04:57 +0000

I’m pretty sure that Jon has no upgrade points. He raced Collegiate Men’s A all spring, so he was throwing down with 1’s and 2’s (many of whom are doing pretty damn well in the P/1 and 2 fields at the Lonsjo). However, they don’t give upgrade points for the 2’s in collegiate races.

We should petition the regional director who handles his license to upgrade him to a 2 even though he’ll only have 20 of the 25 requisite points after Fitchburg.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:33:04 +0000

So call yourself 63rd and pat yourself on the back.

By: Innocent by stander

Innocent by stander — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:46:24 +0000

Just a clarification on collegiate up grades.
To upgrade from 2 to 1 only bean Pot, Easter’s and nationals count. But almost any other A race would be considered. In most cases the USCF official for the region makes a judgment call, and uses the number of points as a starting point. Your style and hardcore attitude is the main factor for an up grade. Besides, look at the SBers in the 2 field.