All U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series events shall be held under the 2012 UCI regulations.  A copy of the 2012 USGP Tech Guide can be downloaded HERE.

Explanation of Recent Rule Changes as applied to non-UCI Categories:

1.) For all USA Cycling races:

Lapped Riders

For the second year in a row, the UCI has changed how lapped riders are handled. They now have two ways to handle it. For domestic events, there are now three methods. The officials on-site will decide what method is being used at each race and communicate that method to the riders.

Lapped riders can be left in the race and may finish on the same lap as the leader.

Lapped riders can be removed at the entrance to the final straight once they have been lapped. Note, sometimes when there are few officials, these same riders are removed at the line, but the UCI requires that no lapped rider ever cross the finish line.

Riders may be withdrawn per the 80% rule. For example, if the first lap took 10 minutes, then 80% of that is 8 minutes. This rule would require that each rider who is more than 8 minutes down every lap would be pulled. Again, this should happen at the entrance to the final straight or some other convenient location.

2.)Tire Width

The UCI has narrowed the maximum width of a cyclo-cross tire from 35 mm to 33 mm.

This does not affect racers in grassroots / non-UCI categories.  In other words, USAC/OBRA/ACA category events do NOT have a tire width restriction and are not subject to UCI tire width regulations.  Please refer the the USAC Rules if you require further clarification.  

Disc Brakes

This also does not affect local events, but the UCI will now allow disc brakes for international events.

3.) The USGP events will be run under the rules of the appropriate sanctioning body, be that UCI, USA Cycling, OBRA or ACA.   It is the responsibility of the rider to make themselves aware of the rules as dictated by these organizations.  

Registration

• NO REFUNDS!!  Rain or Shine.
• Pre-registration mandatory for Elite Men, U-23 Men, and Elite Women only. Pre-registration encouraged for all other categories. Race-day registration will incur a one-time $10 fee.  Registration CLOSES 1 hour prior to each race's scheduled start time so please leave adequate time for parking and getting to registration.
• Note that all registration opening and closing times are EASTERN TIME.

Regulations: 

•  All U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series events shall be held under the 2012 UCI regulations.
• Note:  Races designated as OBRA are not sanctioned by USA Cycling. Racers in theses categories must race on an OBRA license (one day and annual licenses available at registration) For more information see Participation section below.

Participation:  

 
Elite Men, U23 Men, and Elite Women:
From the UCI Rule book. The start order of events is determined as follows:

Men Elite, Elite Women, Men Under-23 and Junior Men 17-18

1. As per the most recently published UCI cyclo-cross individual classification of the current season (or the final classification of the previous season if no classification has yet been published for the current season);

2. Unclassifiedriders: by drawing lots.

Riders that do not have points will be able to draw their own number up to 3 hours before the race at registration. See hours and location of registration in the Tech Guide. After the 3 hour time riders that have not picked their number will be assigned a random start number by USGP registration staff and witnessed by the UCI official.

At the Start, USGP staff will determine how many rows will be cordoned off and all riders, those ranked and those unranked, must remain behind this cordon. With ten (10) minutes to start, the Race Announcer will begin introducing, in the elite men's race, the first two (2) rows (16 riders), and, in the elite women's race, the front row (8 riders). These top riders will be introduced in the Finish Area and then proceed to the Start Area Grid to fill in their respective rows. Simultaneously, USGP staff will call-up the remaining rows of UCI ranked riders. Riders are advised to report 15 minutes before their respective start. 

Per UCI regulations rider call-up is a maximum of ten minutes before the start.  If riders are not present with 10 minutes to start and miss their call-up, they will lose their start grid position.

Junior Men 17/18 

Sun Prairie and Fort Collins:
Start Order for Junior 17, 18 riders will be determined by drawing lots one hour before the race.   Each Junior Rider will be allowed to draw their number based on their order of registration.  The number drawn will be their Bib / Start number. They will be called up in numerical order. Riders not present when their name is called for the drawing will draw last.

Louisville and Bend:
From the UCI Rulebook:   The start order of events is determined as follows:
D)  Other events: Men Elite, Elite Women, Men under-23 and men juniors:

As per the most recently published UCI cyclo-cross individual classification for the
current season for the category concerned. If no classification has yet been published for the current season, the start order will be determined by the final UCI individual cyclo-cross classification for the previous season. After all UCI Classified riders, Start Order for Junior 17, 18 riders will be determined by drawing lots one hour before the race.  Each Junior Rider will be allowed to draw their number based on their order of registration.  The number drawn will be their Bib / Start number. They will be called up in numerical order. Riders not present when their name is called for the drawing will draw last.

* Master 35+ Men
For the first two races of the 2012 series (The Planet Bike Cup), Master 35+ men will be called up based on the 2011 USGP Masters 35+ ranking - ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE INCLUDED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

For all subsequent races, all Masters 35+ men will be called up in order of the latest USGP ranking (PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS ONLY).  NEW Rankings are posted on MONDAY following each USGP race weekend.

One row of eight (8) remaining Masters 35+ men with points from host venue's regional/local series will then be called up. Start order will be the same for both Saturday and Sunday of a given USGP race weekend.   All other riders will be called up by order of registration. Published Regional Series standings from the Monday preceeding the USGP will be used. (Madison - MadCross; Louisville - OVCX; Ft Collins - CO Cross Cup; Bend - Top 3 each from Cross Crusade, MFG Cross, Seattle Cup)

Masters 45+ Men:
At the first two races of the 2012 series (The Planet Bike Cup), Master 45+ Men will be called up based on the 2011 USGP Masters 45+ ranking  - ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

Any riders who were ranked in the 2011 USGP Masters 35+ Series who have moved up in age category will be given that equivalent ranking in the Masters 45+ for the first two races (The Planet Bike Cup) ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

For all subsequent races, all PRE-REGISTERED  Masters 45+ Men will be called up in order of the latest USGP ranking.  NEW rankings are posted on MONDAY following each USGP weekend.

One row of eight (8) PRE-REGISTERED  Masters 45+ Men with points from the host venue's local/regional series will then be called up.  Start order will be the same for both Saturday and Sunday of a given USGP race weekend.   All other riders will be called up by order of registration. Published Regional Series standings from the Monday preceeding the USGP will be used. (Madison - MadCross; Louisville - OVCX; Ft Collins - CO Cross Cup; Bend - Top 3 each from Cross Crusade, MFG Cross, Seattle Cup)

For the remaining non-USGP Series category events (Cat 4 Men, Women 2/3, Cat 4 Women, Junior 10-16, Cat 2/3 Men, Singlespeed and Masters 55+):

Start Order for these categories will be determined by order of registration.

Series Classification: 

• Points shall be awarded according to the series points schedule.
• All rider's results shall be counted towards the final classification.
• In the event of a tie on individual classification, the best placing in the most recent event shall be decisive.

START ORDER

Elite Men, U23 Men, and Elite Women:

From the UCI Rule 5.1.043: The start order of events is determined as follows:

C.   Men Elite, Elite Women, Men Under-23 and Junior Men 17-18

1. As per the most recently published UCI cyclo-cross individual classification of the current season (or the final classification of the previous season if no classification has yet been published for the current season);

2. Unclassified riders: by drawing lots.

(*) For unclassified riders, the start order within the team must be confirmed by the national federations during riders confirmation. Taking each nation in turn on the basis of the classification by nation of the concerned category from the world championships of the previous season, a place shall be allocated to the next rider in sequence.

Federations which do not appear in the classification by nation specified above shall, on the basis of the same rotation system, take the last places, in an order determined by drawing lots.

Procedurally, USGP staff will determine how many rows will be cordoned off and all riders, those ranked and those unranked, must remain behind this cordon. With ten (10) minutes to start, the Race Announcer will begin introducing, in the elite men's race, the first two (2) rows (16 riders), and, in the elite women's race, the front row (8 riders). These top riders will be introduced in the Finish Area and then proceed to the Start Area Grid to fill in their respective rows. Simultaneously, USGP staff will call-up the remaining rows of UCI ranked riders.  Prior to race day, all remaining registered riders without UCI ranking points will be randomly sorted and assigned a number. On race day, these unranked riders will then be called up in numerical order to fill the remaining rows.

Riders are advised to report 15 minutes before their respective start. Per UCI regulations rider call-up is a maximum of ten minutes before the start.  If riders are not present with 10 minutes to start and miss their call-up, they will lose their start grid position.

Junior Men 17/18 

Madison and Fort Collins

Start Order for Junior 17, 18 riders will be determined by drawing lots one hour before the race.   Each Junior Rider will be allowed to draw their number based on their order of registration.  The number drawn will be their Bib / Start number. They will be called up in numerical order. Riders not present when their name is called for the drawing will draw last.

Louisville and Bend

From the UCI Rule: 5.1.043 The start order of events is determined as follows:

      D)  Other events: Men Elite, Elite Women, Men under-23 and men juniors:

As per the most recently published UCI cyclo-cross individual classification for the

current season for the category concerned. If no classification has yet been published for the current season, the start order will be determined by the final UCI individual cyclo-cross classification for the previous season.

After all UCI Classified riders, Start Order for Junior 17, 18 riders will be determined by drawing lots one hour before the race.  Each Junior Rider will be allowed to draw their number based on their order of registration.  The number drawn will be their Bib / Start number. They will be called up in numerical order. Riders not present when their name is called for the drawing will draw last.

Master 35+ Men

For the first two races of the 2011 series (The Planet Bike Cup), Master 35+ men will be called up based on the 2010 USGP Masters 35+ ranking - ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE INCLUDED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

For all subsequent races, all Masters 35+ men will be called up in order of the latest USGP ranking (PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS ONLY).  NEW Rankings are posted on MONDAY following each USGP race weekend. 

One row of eight (8) remaining Masters 35+ men with points from host venue’s regional/local series will then be called up. Start order will be the same for both Saturday and Sunday of a given USGP race weekend.   All other riders will be called up by order of registration. Published Regional Series standings from the Monday preceeding the USGP will be used.  

Masters 45+ Men:  

At the first two races of the 2011 series (The Planet Bike Cup), Master 45+ Men will be called up based on the 2010 USGP Masters 45+ ranking  - ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

Any riders who were ranked in the 2010 USGP Masters 35+ Series will be given that equivalent ranking in the Masters 45+ for the first two races (The Planet Bike Cup) ONLY PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR CALL-UP POSITION.

For all subsequent races, all PRE-REGISTERED  Masters 45+ Men will be called up in order of the latest USGP ranking.  NEW rankings are posted on MONDAY following each USGP weekend. 

One row of eight (8) PRE-REGISTERED  Masters 45+ Men with points from the host venue's local/regional series will then be called up.  Start order will be the same for both Saturday and Sunday of a given USGP race weekend.   All other riders will be called up by order of registration. Published Regional Series standings from the Monday preceeding the USGP will be used.  

* All non-USGP category events (Cat 4 Men, Women 1/2/3, Cat 3/4 Women, Junior 10-16, Cat 2/3 Men, Singlespeed and Masters 55+):

Start Order for these categories will be determined by order of registration.

LEADER'S JERSEY

The U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross shall award a leader's jersey to the current leader at the conclusion of each event. The wearing of this leader's jersey IS MANDATORY during the subsequent event(s). If a current National Champion is also a USGP Series Leader, the rider must defer to the USGP leader’s jersey.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATIONS

TBD 

REGISTRATION

No Refunds.

Entry fees:

USGP Categories:

• Elite and U-23 Men $45
• Elite Women $40
• Masters 35+ $35
• Juniors 17, 18--$25
• Masters 45+/55+ $35
• Cat 2/3 Men $35
• Cat 4 Men $35
• Women 1/2/3 $35
• Cat 3/4 Women $35
• Juniors 10-16 $15.  

All current National Cyclocross Champions shall have their entry fee waived and shall wear their National Champion jersey in their respective event. If a current National Champion is also a USGP Series leader, the rider must defer to the USGP leader’s jersey.

All pre-registration must be done through BikeReg.com. Pre-registration is mandatory for Elite Men, U-23 Men and Elite Women.

Pre-registration encouraged for all other categories and there will be a $10 charge for day-of race registration.

Race-day registration MUST close 1 hour prior to each race.   

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

Please refer to 2011 USGP Technical Guide for complete Race Day schedules for each event.  Tech Guide is available at the top of this page.

FRIDAY NIGHT PROCEDURE

Elite Men with start numbers 1-10 and Elite Women with start numbers 1-5 will be required to pick up their numbers on Friday evening at a specified location. Attendance is required from 6:30-7:30 pm and will include a number presentation ceremony and pre-race press conference.  

FINISH PROCEDURE

Immediately following completion of each USGP category race, the top 3 riders plus the USGP Series Overall Leader must proceed directly to the podium tent. USGP staff will personally escort these top 3 riders to the podium tent. Rider support staff are advised to have podium bags ready for their riders, but these support staff are not allowed in the podium tent due to space limitations.

Winners of the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider Competition (Elite Men/ Elite Women) will also be required to attend their respective podium ceremonies. 

Top three finishers in the Juniors 10-16, Singlespeed, Cat 4 Men, Cat 2/3 Men, Cat 3/4 Women, Cat 2/3 Women, and Masters 55+ should consult the published technical guide for the time of their respective podium ceremonies. 

PODIUM PROCEDURE

In conjunction with PA announcer, USGP staff will direct podium ceremony after each USGP race. First the day’s top 3 riders will be called in descending order and prizes will be awarded. Directly after, the USGP Series Overall Leader will be called to the podium and prizes and leader’s jersey will be awarded. Riders shall remain in podium area after ceremony for post event press conference and interviews.

Winner's of the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider competition (Elite Men / Elite Women) will also be required to attend the Podium Ceremony for their respective races.

ANTI-DOPING CONTROL

All races are conducted under UCI, USAC/ACA/OBRA, and USADA anti-doping regulations. Riders must check to see if they are required to submit to doping control. Doping control location shall be announced at each individual event.