Road racing categories are designed to place riders in groupings of
similar fitness and racing ability regardless of age. The list below
includes a description the category, and typical road race distance.
Cat 2/3: The highest level of racing in Saskatchewan and you
should be in excellent shape and have suitable riding skills to race
in this category. Typical race distances are 90-120km in length.
Cat 4: The largest category of road racing in Saskatchewan that
covers a wide range of ages and ability levels. Typical race distances
are between 70-90km in length.
Cat 5: An excellent category for most riders to start in if
they are just learning to road race or if you aren't training too much
and are out to enjoy light competition. Typical race distances are 50-70km
in length.
Cat 6: Only offered in Saskatchewan, not a UCI recognized category.
A category for novice riders, who are not ready for longer
distances. The distances will be fixed at a maximum of:
- 30 k for a Road Race
-15K for a Individual Time Trial
- 20 min + 2 laps for a Criterium.
Since adding a Category 6 is not mandatory for race organizers, riders
are encouraged to contact the race organizer to find out if a Category
6 is being offered.
Women: The women's category encompasses a wide range of fitness
and skill levels and is sometimes split into two groups, one that races
with the Cat 4 men and one that races with Cat 5. For larger events
the women race in their own category. Typical race distances are 50-90km
in length.
This is my first race, which category should I choose?
The best place to start road racing, especially if you have little
experience riding in a pack of riders is Cat 5. You will quickly find
out whether you are in the right category or not and can move to the
next category (Cat 4) if appropriate. Cat 4 is a good starting place
for riders in good shape who have experience riding in a pack. Often
times speaking with a road racer you know will give you a better idea
of what category you should enter as they would be able to evaluate
your fitness are skills.
Upgrading and downgrading your racing license or Temporary upgrades
If you believe that you should be upgraded or downgraded in your racing
category, you must provide a letter to the High Performance Committee
outlining your request.
For an upgrade, your request should include race results from
your previous season, race results from the current season, recommendation
letter from your coach, previous experience in a related sport, and
or results from a high level of ability in another cycling discipline.
For a downgrade, your request should include race results from
the current or past season or a description of the circumstances which
would place you at a lower ability category.
Generally a Road Level 1 or 2, a Cyclo-cross Level 1 or 2 and a Mountain
Bike Elite license are not issued without substantial evidence that
a rider can race at that ability level. If you don't have substantial
evidence that you are racing at a higher ability and you are attending
an out of province race and competing in any of the high ability categories
mentioned previously, you can request an upgrade letter to attach
to your current license. This letter will be specific to a race and
will have an expire date. Your request should list the event name and
location, date of the event and current results that would support the
temporary upgrade.
All requests must be received at least one month prior to the event
for which you would like to compete in your new upgraded/downgraded
category.
Send your request to the SCA office at: 2205 Victoria Ave, Regina,
Sask S4P 0S4 or e-mail at cycling@accesscomm.ca
