What category do I start in, and how do I move up?
Rule- USA
- USA Cycling
- Juniors
- 16 and under
- Road, track, cyclocross, MTB
- USA Cycling Rulebook v8-2025
- 2025 rules
- Riders
Categories are about ability, not age. Every new rider starts as a Novice. From there:
- Road, track and cyclocross: Categories 4, 3, 2 and 1 (1 is the highest).
- Mountain bike: Categories 2, 1 and Pro.
Categories compare you with riders of the same gender, whatever their age.
Moving up:
- You request an upgrade (or a downgrade) through your USA Cycling online account, and USA Cycling staff review it. Upgrades are based on points from your placings.
- Juniors don't get forced upgrades for points earned in junior races.
- Points a junior earns in Elite or U23 races in road, track or cyclocross can trigger a mandatory upgrade, but only up to Category 3.
- Results from the last 36 months count, and points are based on your overall place in the whole field, not just among riders in your category.
- After an upgrade, your points start again from zero in the new category.
- You can't downgrade back to Novice.
Added 21 Oct 2026