2016-2017 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Selection Criteria

USA Cycling has released the selection criteria for riders interested in racing UCI World Cup cyclocross events for the 2016-2017 season. Most notable for U.S. riders is the double allotment afforded U.S. riders for the CrossVegas and Jingle Cross world cup stops. The Men’s and Women’s U.S. squads will both be allowed to bring up to 16 riders rather than the eight riders normally allotted to national federations.

Before getting to the rules, let’s take a quick look at the World Cup calendar. Note there are two U.S. events, two Dutch events, three Belgian events, and one event each in Germany and Italy. A pretty nice mix of nations hosting World Cup events this season before we head to Worlds in Luxembourg.

UCI World Cup Calendar 

• September 21, 2016 Las Vegas, USA
• September 24, 2016 Iowa City, USA
• October 23, 2016 Valkenburg, Netherlands
• November 20, 2016 Koksijde, Belgium
• November 26, 2016 Zevem, Germany
• December 18, 2016 Namur, Belgium
• December 26, 2016 Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
• January 15, 2017 Fiuggi Regione Lazio, Italy
• January 22, 2017 Hoogerheide, Netherlands

And here is the unedited information from USA Cycling for U.S. athletes looking to race World Cup events (this information is available in pdf form from USA Cycling): 

 

AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION INFORMATION

Below you will find information on how a rider can “automatically” qualify for nomination to the 2016/17 World Cup starting positions. In cases where there are available start positions after the automatic qualification process, those positions may be filled via discretionary nominations according to the USA Cycling Principles for Athlete Selection procedures. More information regarding USAC discretionary selection procedures can be found in the “General Team Selection Information” at http://www.usacycling.org/team-selection-documents.htm .

GENERAL INFORMATION

 The UCI has set forth World Cup Cyclo-Cross event rider quotas per nation. These quotas are as follows:

Elite Men

All U.S. eligible athletes ranked inside the top 50 of the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date will be pre-qualified for a World Cup start position. If there are less than eight (8) athletes in the top 50, up to eight (8) may be nominated. UCI Individual rankings include U23 men who are ranked inside the top 50 if there is not a separate U23 men’s race at that particular round of the UCI World Cup. If riders inside the top 50 UCI ranking choose not to accept their start position additional riders may be nominated to start up to a maximum of eight (8) riders. For the Las Vegas and Iowa City rounds of the UCI CX World Cup the USA will receive a double allocation of start spots and will be allowed to enter up to 16 riders.

 Elite Women

All U.S. eligible athletes ranked inside the top 50 of the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date will be pre-qualified for a World Cup start position. If there are less than eight (8) athletes in the top 50, up to eight (8) may be nominated. UCI Individual rankings include U23 and Junior women who are ranked inside the top 50, if there is not a separate U23 or Junior women’s race at that particular round of the UCI World Cup. If riders inside the top 50 UCI ranking choose not to accept their start position additional riders may be nominated to start up to a maximum of eight (8) riders. For the Las Vegas and Iowa City rounds of the UCI CX World Cup the USA will receive a double allocation of start spots and will be allowed to enter up to 16 riders.

 U23/ Junior Men

For separate U23 Men and Junior Men UCI World Cups, there will not be a UCI pre-qualification list. For separate U23 Men or Junior Men World Cup events up to six (6) athletes may start.

U23/Junior Women

No separate U23/Junior Women’s World Cup races will be held.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

 USA Cycling will not be assuming financial responsibility for athletes or trade teams who wish to race in UCI World Cup events. If USAC chooses to send athletes and/or a national team to select world cups events, at their discretion and they may also choose to fund those athletes who have either met automatic criteria for that particular event or athletes nominated via discretionary nomination.

USA CYCLING CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUP ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

1. ALL pre-qualified riders MUST email USA Cycling to request entry into each specific World Cup they would like to be entered into for a start. Pre-qualified U.S. athletes must be submitted USA Cycling entry request forms via email to Marc Gullickson at USA Cycling at mgullickson@usacycling.org. The UCI will accept only the official entry forms from USA Cycling for all athletes. Do not send your forms to the UCI! This registration form can be downloaded on the Cyclo-cross World Cups page of the USA Cycling
2. The deadline for athletes to submit their entries to USA Cycling is by 3 p.m. MT no later than three (3) weeks in advance of the event. Only USA Cycling’s official entry form will be Make sure you specify the World Cup event and date. No other forms, letters, or emails will be accepted in lieu of the official entry form. Late entries will not be accepted. No exceptions.
3. Entered riders will check in at registration for each UCI World Details on registration and event entry can be found on the UCI website. If a USA Cycling team coach/manager is attending a WCS event, 36 hours prior to the event each rider is responsible for 1) notifying the team coach/manager of his/her lodging arrangements and 2) conveying his/her license to coach/manager. Any athlete entering but failing to register at the event will be charged the full entry fee by the UCI through USA Cycling.
4. If you submitted an entry form but will not be able to attend, please notify Marc Gullickson at mgullickson@usacycling.org. It is the athlete’s responsibility to cancel with USA

When entering World Cups, only register for those races that you will definitely be attending. Each athlete will be responsible to pay any UCI fine for cancellation or no-show. Details on eligibility and event entry can be found on the UCI website. All World Cup entry forms should be emailed to: mgullickson@usacycling.org

Remember to allow time to meet the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.

 USA CYCLING CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUP PETITION INSTRUCTIONS

1. All Elite riders who do NOT pre-qualify for a Cyclo-Cross World Cup start and wish to be considered for a discretionary start should submit a Discretionary Athlete Nomination Form by 3 p.m. MT no later than three (3) weeks in advance of the
2. All U23 and Junior riders that wish to be considered for a discretionary start in a Cyclo- Cross World Cup should submit a Discretionary Athlete Nomination Form by 3 p.m. no later than three (3) weeks in advance of the

 COMPETITION CLOTHING

 All U23Men and Junior Men are required by the UCI to compete in the competition kit of their respective National Teams if racing in a separate U23 Men’s or Junior Men’s World Cup race. If U23 Men race in the Elite Men’s event at a World Cup they are not required to wear National Team kit. As a member of the Team USA, representing USA Cycling and the United States of America, you will be provided with competition clothing which you will be required to wear during all training sessions and competitions. All U23 and Junior athletes who do not meet automatic criteria will be required to purchase National Team competition kit. Please contact Marc Gullickson with credit card information.

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

 World Cup Pre-qualified riders will be determined from the last updated UCI ranking before the next World Cup. The Las Vegas World Cup pre-qualified riders will be determined from the current UCI ranking. For all following World Cups the pre-qualified riders will be determined from the most recently updated UCI ranking which will be published on the Tuesday before each race.

1. Petitions for discretionary World Cup entry (for riders that do not pre-qualify and for U23 Men and Junior Men when there is a separate World Cup event ) are due three (3) weeks in advance of the relevant World Cup event date
2. Final announcement of the USA Cycling World Cup Teams: 2 weeks before the specific World Cup event.

CRITERIA FOR AUTOMATIC NOMINATION TO THE TEAM

 Elite Men

 Eligible Participants: USAC International License Holders; Age 18 and over

Athletes may receive World Cup starts based on the following prioritized criteria if start positions remain after the automatic positions are filled up to a total of 8 riders and 16 riders for the Las Vegas & Iowa City World Cup: 

1. All U.S. eligible athletes ranked inside the top 50 of the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed

2. Any athlete placing in the top ten (10) at the prior year’s World Championships in the same category. If more than one rider meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

3. Any U.S. eligible athlete finishing in the top ten (10) in a UCI World Cup race in the previous twelve (12) months in the same category. If more than one (1) athlete meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

4. The 2016 USA Cycling Elite Men’s National Cyclo-Cross Champion

5. If positions remain after considering the preceding criterion, then athletes may be selected by the USA Cycling Selection Committee following USA Cycling Principles of Athlete Selection (www.usacycling.org).

Elite Women

 Eligible Participants: USAC International License Holders; Age 18 and over

Athletes may receive World Cup starts based on the following prioritized criteria if start positions remain after the automatic positions are filled up to a total of 8 riders and 16 riders for the Las Vegas & Iowa City World Cup:

1. All U.S. eligible athletes ranked inside the top 50 of the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed

2. Any athlete placing in the top ten (10) at the prior year’s World Championships in the same category. If more than one rider meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may b

3. Any U.S. eligible athlete finishing in the top ten (10) in a UCI World Cup race in the previous twelve (12) months in the same category provided that race is held in its entirety and run under UCI regulations. If more than one (1) athlete meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

4. The 2016 USA Cycling Elite Women’s National Cyclo-Cross Champion

5. If positions remain after considering the preceding criterion, then athletes may be selected by the USA Cycling Selection Committee following USA Cycling Principles of Athlete Selection (www.usacycling.org).

U23 Men

 Eligible Participants: USAC International License Holders; Age 18 and over

Maximum Funded Positions: 6

Athletes may receive automatic nominations to the team based on the following prioritized criteria:

1. Any athlete placing in the top ten (10) at the prior year’s World Championships in the same category. If more than one rider meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

2. The top three (3) ranked athletes on the UCI Individual ranking on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup as listed above may be nominated provided those athletes are ranked in the top 100 on the UCI Individual Elite Men ranking.

3. Any U.S. eligible athlete finishing in the top ten (10) in a UCI World Cup race in the previous twelve (12) months in the same

4. The 2016 USA Cycling U23 Men’s National Cyclo-Cross Champion provided they are racing in the same age

5. If positions remain after considering the preceding criterion, then athletes may be selected by the USA Cycling Selection Committee following USA Cycling Principles of Athlete Selection (www.usacycling.org).

Junior Men

Eligible Participants: USAC International License Holders; Age 18 and over

Maximum Funded Positions: 6

Athletes may receive automatic nominations to the team based on the following prioritized criteria:

1. Any athlete placing in the top ten (10) at the prior year’s World Championships in the same category. If more than one rider meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

2. The top three (3) ranked athletes on the UCI Individual ranking on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup as listed above may be nominated provided those athletes are ranked in the top twenty (20) on the UCI Individual

3. Any U.S. eligible athlete finishing in the top ten (10) in a UCI World Cup race in the previous twelve (12) months in the same category. If more than one (1) athlete meets this criterion, then the athlete with the highest ranking on the UCI Individual rankings on the designated ranking date per each individual round of the world cup listed above may be

4. The 2016 USA Cycling Junior Men’s National Cyclo-Cross Champion provided they are racing in the same age

5. If positions remain after considering the preceding criterion, then athletes may be selected by the USA Cycling Selection Committee following USA Cycling Principles of Athlete Selection (www.usacycling.org).

Feature photo © 2015 Bruce Buckley Photography