New racing classes: What about the fast vets?

Hey Lee,
Just curious on your feelings about the change to international Cat. System of classes (or whatever it is officially called) that they are going to for 2009? I agree to have an international standard, but do you think it may take a few years to level out?

I’m an Expert that was jumping to Semi-pro for 09 but no way ready for the big boys and at 36 don’t see having the time to make it there. So dominate the Ex class forever? Doesn’t seem fair, but the big boys are just in another league. I take it your going Pro?

It sounds like you have the choice to own the Cat 1 experts or go Pro? I just hope local folks like Southridge keep the Vet Pro classes for this “in-betweener.”
Marshall

Hey Marshall,

I’m not sure what to think about this change.

So we’re all on the same page, here is the new class structure for 2009:

Pro – Current pro and some of semipro.

Cat 1 – Current expert and some of semipro.

Cat 2 – Current sport.

Cat 3 – Current beginner.

Current semipros can either step up to pro or down to expert (oops, Cat 1).

“This change is the result of over two years of thought, analysis, and discussion by the NORBA BOT, USAC staff, and many people connected with the sport,” says the USA Cycling fact sheet. “The goals of the new categorization system are to strengthen the pro ranks and increase the competitiveness of the amateur categories.”

What I think (so far)

– The pro class will definitely get bigger. Not sure how a bunch of slower semipros will make the current pros ready for World Cups, but that’s not my department.

– The expert class, I mean Cat 1, will get bigger, but not much bigger. Most younger semis will step up to pro. (Any capable rider who steps down will be labelled a sandbagger.) Older semis — guys who just want to pay the bills, take care of their families and have some fun — might step down, but not in big numbers. These guys are in danger of leaving the races.

– I wish we had an official Vet Pro class at the national level, but USA Cycling nixed that idea a few years ago. Mountain States Cup and Southridge rock the Vet Pro. Support them.

– Older “in-between” riders get screwed. Once you’ve become much faster than the experts and stepped up to semipro, how do you justify stepping down? Not only to all the whiners, but to yourself? And how much fun will Pro be? If you’re in your mid-late 30s or beyond, let’s hope you’ve grown out of your OHMYGOSH I HAVE TO BE A PRO phase. Riding with the fast guys is fun, and — no doubt — being a pro is cool, but here’s my definition of the right racing class:

If you do all of your work, and you execute at the top of your ability, you have a chance at a top finish. Maybe not today, but some day.

For me, racing pro takes racing back to a recreational level. No matter how hard I try, I will not be in the mix. I can have fun and find flow — but why drive and pay and wait and pay and drive for the privilege? I love riding my bike, and I love being competitive, but racing pro at a national won’t provide enough of either.

I guess I’m left with a few options:

1) Step up to Pro. I always wanted a pro card, but not like this. And does the DUDE I’M SO COOL FACTOR temper the fact I have to race Lopes in the first round (“And Lopes crumbles under pressure, and Lee takes it!”)?

2) Step down to Cat 1. If all of our regional older semis (Troy Cooperman, Zach Hughes, Steve Valenti …) step down with me, we’ll have a very competitive class, but everyone below us will be bummed. Knowing these guys, they’ll go up. And I don’t feel great about stepping down.

Either way, I’ll be racing Vet Pro at the Mountain States Cups. Thank goodness for that option.

Prediction: Many older racers who can’t race Vet Pro will stop racing. With this decision, USA Cycling will remove people from racing — people, I might add, who are having kids and introducing them to their favorite sport. Vet Pro is huge in motocross and BMX — two sports that successfully cultivate competition at all ages and levels. Is it a coincidence that so many families go to the tracks?

In 2009 I will be racing a lot more BMX. It’s close to home, there are good classes for me, and my kid likes it.

— Lee

Also read: Vet pro: yipee!

By the way: I let my NORBA license lapse this year because of this. We’ll see whether I’m still a semipro!