NEMCA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
2018 Rule Book
Objective
The Northeast Masters Cycling Association (NEMCA) established the Northeast Masters Championship Series (Series) as a means to recognize and award the performance of members that compete in designated Series bicycle races.
Participation
Only those NEMCA members in good standing are eligible to participate in the Series. One must also meet the USA Cycling qualification requirements for entry into a race. To be eligible for points in a race, a member's dues must be in good standing at the time of the event and no retroactivity is permitted. To be eligible for awards, a member must compete in at least 40% of the events (rounded to the closest whole number) in the associated series. Example: for a 16 event series (where 40% = 6.4), 6 events are required.
Age Groups/Categories
The following age groups/categories are included in the Series:
Men 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 Cat 1-3
Men 60-64 Cat 1-4
Men 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80+ Cat 1-5
Men 45-54, 55-59 Cat 4
Men 45-54, 55-64 Cat 5
Women 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80+ Cat 1-4
In the event of a change in racing license category during the series, each category's points result shall stand alone and not be combined, however credit will be given for the combined number of events ridden. It is the participant's responsibility to promptly notify NEMCA of any change in category; failure to do so may invalidate results, since event retroactive realignment becomes too complex.
Series Events
NEMCA shall select the qualifying Series events.
NEMCA shall designate the gender/age groupings within a Series event that shall qualify for group points.
Consideration shall be given to the following criteria:
Availability and nature of age group races in the event
Stature of the event
Scheduled date
Geographical dispersion of events
The qualifying events and groupings therein shall also be posted in the Event Schedule on the NEMCA website (www.northeastmasters.com).
Awards
Awards will be presented after the last race of the season and shall consist of the following:
Medals:
3 places (medals) for age groups contested by 10 riders or less.
5 places (medals) for age groups contested by 11 riders or more.
Champion’s Jacket, polo shirt or semi-custom short sleeve cycling jersey (winner’s choice):
Awarded to the champions in each age group.
Series Placing
Placing shall be based on the points earned in your gender/age group at designated Series races. Standings are regularly posted during the season on the NEMCA website (www.northeastmasters.com). Promptly contact NEMCA if you believe any results are in error.
Points
Points shall be awarded on an individual basis.
Points shall be awarded according to the individual’s finish relative to other NEMCA members in the same age/gender group and not the overall finishing order in the race. The presence of another gender in your race will have no effect on the points awarded. For example, the first male in his age group will be awarded first place points and the first women in her age group will also be awarded first place points, regardless of their overall placing in the combined event.
Five (5) points shall also be awarded for starting a race. That member’s name must appear on the official results sheet in order to receive the "start points".
For events that include both Women's open Cat 3 or Cat 4 races, as well as Men's age groups that female riders are qualified to compete in, both events will be included in the Women’s NEMCA Series and the member will have the option to compete in either race for NEMCA Series points. If the member chooses to compete in both races, she will be scored in the event that is contested by the largest number of female NEMCA members. If the same number of female members competes in both races, the member will be scored according to her highest place in either race.
Points can only be earned in those Series events that have been designated by NEMCA to qualify for your gender/age group; refer to the Race Schedule.
Points in Bob Beal Weekend events shall be awarded on a double points basis.
Bonus Points
Bonus points shall be awarded through participation in your age class at the events listed below. These events shall not be included in the physical count of your participation in series events (i.e. 40% rule). Bonus Points shall be awarded according to your overall finishing order in the following races:
(not applicable in 2016) National Senior Games 10K Time Trial
(not applicable in 2016) National Senior Games 40K Road Race
Masters National Championship Time Trial
Masters National Championship Road Race
Masters National Championship Criterium
No additional points are a part of the Series, for example for pre-registration, for a second race or for clubs.
Points Table
|
Place
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
Points
|
30
|
25
|
20
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
|
Place
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
Start
|
|
Points
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
Final Score
Each member’s final score shall be the accumulated points total taken from the best event results that number up to the total quantity of events in the Series less three for series with 11 or more races, less two for series with 10 or less races. Where applicable, Nationals participation bonus points shall be also included in the final score.
Example one (assuming a 16 event Series):
Rider A competes in all 16 Series events. Only the best 13 results will be included.
Rider B competes in only 13 of the 16 Series events. All 13 results will be included.
Rider C competes in only 8 of the 16 Series events. All 8 results will be included.
Example two (assuming a 10 event Series):
Rider A competes in all 10 Series events. Only the best 8 results will be included.
Rider B competes in only 8 of the 10 Series events. All 8 results will be included.
Rider C competes in only 5 of the 10 Series events. All 5 results will be included.
Verification/Resolution of Results
Individual competitors are responsible to verify their result during the event’s official protest period; differences shall be resolved with the event’s Chief Judge at that time. In the event an official placing does not exist, the competitors within the same group shall consult among themselves in order to agree on relative placement; that result shall be reported to NEMCA. In the event of a conflict, NEMCA shall be requested to mediate by providing details in writing. The outcome of the mediation shall be final.
Resolution of Ties
In the event of a tie, it shall be resolved on the basis of the shortest time achieved in the Bob Beal Masters Time Trial at the end of the year so long as at least one party has competed in that event.
Should all of the parties to the tie fail to compete in that event, the tie shall be resolved on the basis of the highest placing in their last Series race, respectively. If the tie persists at that point, the results of the next prior race will be added until the tie is broken.