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NORBA 2000
Athlete Ranking and Race Results Program

We are excited to announce that for the 2000 season the NORBA Athlete Ranking and Race Results program will be resumed effective January 1, 2000. This program will be a benefit both to promoters and members. Those events that are part of the ranking program can attract riders by the very fact that the event is participating in rankings.

In the design of the program events that attract better fields of riders will carry a premium race value. Thus, for example a NCS event will offer a rider the chance to earn more ranking points than a local event of 100 riders. During the 2000 season over 60% of all NORBA events will be asked to participate in the program.

The race value that an event can offer a rider provides a major marketing opportunity for promoters. It will be supported by a specially designed rankings logo that can be displayed on the race flyer and will also appear on our web site where the event can also be found. This way a rider will know that your race is part of the ranking program.

The material that follows outlines the program in detail. We at USA Cycling have dedicated staff and technology to insure that the program will be a success. It will be a major part of growing our sport, identifying athletes for development, assist in teams' selection and provides a tool for riders to measure themselves. We're ready to help you have a successful event by being a part of the program.

Warren Conrad,
USAC, Membership Director

 

 Guide to NORBA 2000 Rankings 

Welcome to an exciting new season of NORBA 2000 rankings! We have revised our National Ranking Program, with the new program making its debut on January 1, 2000. We have put together this guide to assist you in submitting your event results. The revised system is a place and points penalty system, where the lower the rank, the better. Rankings will be compiled by discipline, gender, category and class, with the riders top (lowest) 3 finishes making up their rank. We have set race value levels in the system, based on the event meeting the rankings standards. The events to be ranked will be selected by the following criteria: All UCI Domestic World Cups, NCS, AMBC, State/Regional Championships, Other UCI Calendar events, and all events permitted at the 'C' and above (100-499 participants) level.

The first attachment is a Ranking System Overview. This document describes the changes in the system, the rankings ranges set for categories, and the race value levels.

The second attachment included is a USAC Ranking Code. This outlines the responsibilities of the event promoter to USAC, as well as USAC's responsibilities to the promoter. The second page of the ranking code needs to be filled out, signed and returned to this office before the event to be ranked takes place. As soon as you return this document to us, your event will appear on the web, and in print, as a rankable event. The system is a password protected system, you will select your own password, and provide yourself a hint for the password. This will be your password for all events you are submitting.

The third attachment, Submitting Race Results for the 2000 NORBA Season, describes the steps a promoter will follow to submit online results to USAC's web site. Results will be posted immediately to the site and rankings will be calculated on a bi-monthly basis.

The fourth attachment, Results Submission Format (PDF File), shows the data format we will accept results in. You can run your race any way you want, combining categories etc., but when you submit results, they must be broken out in this format. The format lists all the acceptable data for each field.

Working together, we will make this ranking program a success. I look forward to working with all of you, to benefit our membership, your customers.

USAC Results and Ranking Manager

 

USA Cycling Ranking System Overview

Previous Ranking System

  • This was a point system where a set amount of points were given to each place, and the higher the points received the better the rank.
  • Racers were ranked by region, with no carry over of points between regions.
  • The more races finished the better the rank.
  • All races were considered equal.
  • Rankings points were not carried over from year to year, every year had to start new. This system was not a true measure of a rider's abilities. It did not take into account many factors, including the different levels of races, or the quality of the competition.

Revised Ranking System

  • The revised system is a place and points penalty system where the lower the points you receive the better your rank. LOWER IS BETTER. While it may look complicated, this concept is used and accepted in several other sports such as golf and skiing. Think of it as a golf handicap. A 2 handicap is better than a six.
  • Rankings are no longer done just by region, all ranked races will count toward your ranking.
  • Ranking points will be determined by place, and points will be awarded to all licensed riders in a rankable race.
  • Race results points will be a fixed point within each category. All rankings points in the Sport category will have a point value between 1501 (minimum) and 2000 (maximum) etc. (See Rankings Range chart).
  • A race value level has been set in the system based on the events meeting the rankings standards. (See Race Value Level chart). An example of this would be an event on the National Championship Series. These races would automatically be set to a race value level of 25 (lower is better). NORBA Domestic UCI World Cup, NCS, AMBC, and events permitted at the "C" level or above will be ranked.
  • Rankings will be compiled by discipline (cross-country, downhill etc…) gender, category (Beginner, Sport, etc...) and class (Junior, Senior etc…).
  • The system will include results for a rider for the last one-year period in time. This will be based on the current date back one-year's worth of results.
  • Your rank will be based on your rankings points consisting of your three best (lowest) race scores, within your discipline, gender, category and class, added together and divided by three.
  • Penalty points will be calculated based on the race value and the available points for the category. The amount of points available for the category are then divided by the number of finishers to determine the penalty points per place value. This will give someone that placed 3rd, in an event set at a lower race value level, better points than a 2nd in an event set at a higher race value level (less is better). This will be a truer reflection of a rider's ability.

We have created a USAC Ranking Code of Conduct. This covers the promoter's responsibilities to USAC, and USAC's responsibilities to the promoters and members. The Code of Conduct is attached. All participating promoters must fill out, sign and return the Code of Conduct to USA Cycling.

 

Rankings Range

Pro 1 - 500
Semi-Pro 501 - 1000
Expert 1001 - 1500
Sport 1501 - 2000
Beginner 2001 - 2500

: 
Race Value Level Point Level
0 UCI World Cup 0
25 Chevy NCS Series 25
50 AMBC 50
75 State/Regional Championships 75
100 UCI Calendar Events 100
125 A Permitted Events 125
175 B Permitted Events 175
200 C Permitted Events 200

 

 USAC Ranking Code 

USAC and event promoters agree on a code of conduct that each will follow for events that are to become part of the USAC ranking program. The objective of this agrement is to identify the responsibilities each of us has in keeping the integrity of the USAC ranking program accurate, timely and a value to members at all levels of ability.

Event Organizers:

  • Agree to submit race results in approved electronic formats to USAC within 5 working days.
  • Agree to submit results in approved and current USAC classes and categories. Promoters may run their events using combined classes and categories but to be ranked results are to be submitted in current ranking formats.
  • Recognize that becoming part of the USAC ranking program distinguishes their event as having an extra value to riders and will strive towards providing riders with quality race experiences.
  • Recognize that should a promoter not live up to this contract, action may be taken by USAC on their future participation in having their events part of the USAC ranked events calendar.

USAC:

  • Will continue to commit itself to the goal of maintaining an athlete-ranking program, which distinguishes its value to all of its constituencies.
  • Will post all race results received in approved formats to the USAC web page instantly after receipt.
  • Will calculate the rankings on a bi-monthly basis as determined for each cycling discipline. During the peak-racing season this schedule may be accelerated.
  • Will provide the membership with access to their ranking on the USAC web page.
  • Will provide promoters with the information and instructions on how to submit results in a timely manner.

This code is being established to serve the USAC membership. USAC along with our promot-ers, recognize the need to continually grow and expand our sport. This partnership will allow the USAC National Ranking Program to add quality to the racing experience of our members.

 

USAC RANKING CODE

We need the following information for our online entry system. Please fill out the following information, sign accepting the Ranking Code and mail to: USA Cycling, Attn: Theresa Delp, Rankings Manager, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. This form allows us to set up your secured password into the Submit Results Section.

EVENT____________________________________ ID# _______________

USER SELECTED ID_________________________(5-8 characters)

USER SELECTED PASSWORD ________________(5-8 characters)
(If you are using a timing company, please remember to give them this password)

PASSWORD HINT_____________________________________________

Last Name ____________________ First Name ______________________

Address 1 ______________________________

Address 2 ______________________________

City __________________________________ State_______ Zip________

Phone (____) _______________________________

FAX (____) ________________________

E-Mail Address ________________________________________

I agree to follow USAC's ranking code. I will electronically submit results to USAC's web site within 5 working days of my event(s) in the accepted format.

 

______________________________________________ ____________
Event Promoter's Signature                                                    Date

(12/99 USA Cycling Results & Ranking System Promoters.doc)

 

 

SUBMITING RACE RESULTS FOR
THE 2000 NORBA SEASON

USA CYCLING, INC.
One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719)578-4581 FAX (719)578-4628

For the 2000 season, USA Cycling is rolling out it's revised Results and Rankings Program. The changes in this program have been made in response to member's comments and suggestions. For promoters, result submission can aid you in growing your events and giving your riders full value for their entry fees, as well as adding value to your race. Our members, your customers, have let us know they want an equitable ranking program and would attend a ranked event over a non-ranked event held at the same time. Selected events only will be ranked in 2000, all results submitted properly will be posted on USAC's web site. Cross-Country and Downhill will be the only disciplines ranked in 2000. It is a great benefit to your riders to have results posted, even if the event is not in the ranking program. In fact, we expect the great majority of NORBA events in 2000 can qualify for participation as a rankings event, and the majority of NORBA members will have a rank by the end of the year.

The former ranking system was a point based system, with all races being equal. Riders were awarded points for their finishing place in a race and the more events a rider finished, the better the rank. This system did not take into account many factors, including the different levels of races or the quality of the competition. Racers were ranked by region, with no carry over of points between regions.

The Revised Results and Ranking Program is a place and points penalty system where the lower the points received, the better your rank. LOWER IS BETTER. Ranking points will be determined by place, and points will be awarded for each place in a rankable race. Race result points will be a fixed point within each category and race value levels have been set. Rankings will no longer be done just by region, all ranked races will count towards your rank. Rankings will be sorted by discipline, gender, category and class. The system will take the racer's three lowest (best) places, add them together and divide by three to figure the ranking points. It will then rank racers in ascending order, by points. The system will track and run results for a racer for the last one year period in time. This will be based on the current date back one year's worth of results. For a complete description of the Results and Ranking System, please check our web page http://www.usacycling.org/index.cgi?rankings.html

We have set up a system to accept race results for electronic submission. This is the only way we will accept race results for web posting of results, and ranking. This system will post the results to our web page and put the event in to be ranked, if applicable. For all events, the completed race results are to be submitted within 5 days after the event conclusion. Results will be posted to the web page immediately upon submission. Our goal is to have 100% of all event results submitted in a timely fashion.

To do online submission of race results, you must follow the following data format fields and order exactly. You can use Excel, or any other spreadsheet program that will create a comma-delimited file. Results files received in any format other than comma-delimited, or any order other than what is listed below, will not be ranked, nor the results posted. To upload an event, go to our web site: www.usacycling.org/rankings.html where there is a submit results link. This will bring you to a screen to enter your user name and password. The next screen will be to enter the event ID # and year. This will bring up the event information, to verify results are being posted for the correct event. Enter your contact info, the file name and hit submit. When an event is submitted to the web page, our system will check the file and let the promoter know of any discrepancies or errors that will stop the file from uploading to our results page. These will need to be corrected before trying to post the event again.

 

Data fields and accepted components for electronic submission:

Organization NORBA--(Required Field)
Event year 2000--(Required Field)
Event ID Unique ID event given during permit process--(Required Field)
Do not insert year before ID number
Race Date mm/dd/yyyy format (Must be in this format)--(Required Field)
Discipline Cross Country, Downhill--(Required Field)
Category Beginner, Sport, Expert, Semi-Pro, Pro (mixed categories) Pro/Semi-Pro (men only), Pro/Expert (women only) -- Results must be broken out into respective categories before submitting for rankings. (Required Field)

The NORBA board has approved age-based grouping for Juniors. There will be no categories. Use Junior as the category for Junior events.

Gender Men, Women, Mixed--(Required Field)
Class Junior, Senior, Master--(Required Field)
Group Defined Age Groups -- (19-29), (19-24), (25-29), (30-39), (30-34), (35-39), (40-49), (40-44), (45-49), (50-99) (Do not use 40+, use 40-99) -- Defined age groups is a required field.
For an event to be ranked, the promoter must break ages out into the specified age groups.
Depending on field size you can use the 5-year or 10-year age increments. Juniors: Note for 2000, Juniors will be ranked by age only. Use (1-18) if you want to run one junior race. Use (17-18) (15-16), (13-14), (11-12), (1-10), if you want to run several different junior races.
License List license number, 0 if a one day license (Rankings will be given to licensed members only) --(Required Field)
Last Name Mc Phillips (No commas or periods) --(Required Field)
First Name Ray Jr (Note--Jr would go with the first name, no commas or periods) --(Required Field)
Bib # Indicate bib number's here--(not a required field, you can leave the column blank)
Team If applicable, list the team here. Do not use any commas in the team name--(not a required field, you can leave the column blank)
Time If no times are shown, fill with a 0.--(not a required field, you can leave the column blank)
Place 1, 2, 3 not 1st 2nd 3rd, ....
DNF ("did not finish") = 999,
DQ ("disqualified") = 997 -- (Required Field)

Note:

  • Do NOT insert column headers or blank lines to separate rows of information.
  • If you are not submiting information in a column, continue to insert blank column to account for missing information.

 

Advanced Issues

There are many promoters who have developed their own custom software application for event registration and results. As long as this program can output data in our results format, as shown above, this is acceptable. If you run your own software package and would like access to the current membership database for license information, e-mail USAC's Results and Rankings Manager at rankings\@usacycling.org Each request will be evaluated on an individual basis.

 

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions or problems, please go to the web page first http://www.usacycling.org/index.cgi?rankings.html where there is a Frequently Asked Questions section set up to assist you. For any questions or problems the web page cannot help you with, contact, USAC's Results and Rankings Manager, at rankings\@usacycling.org, or call (719) 578-4581 extension 3358.

If we work together, the Results and Rankings Program will prove to be of tremendous benefit to our members, your customers. Having one standard way to receive results is the only way this can be done. We are here to assist you in all of your results and rankings needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

(12/99 USA Cycling Results & Ranking System Promoters.doc)
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