UCCS Rules for 2018

/UCCS Rules for 2018
UCCS Rules for 20182018-06-02T03:17:55-07:00

UltraCycling Cup Series (UCCS)

  • PURPOSE

The WUCA’s “UltraCycling Cup Series” (UCCS) provides an opportunity for ultra-racers to compete in a series of events to determine the best ultracyclists in the world. To accomplish this goal, the WUCA will list events annually on the UCCS calendar at which ultra‐racers will select events to race. At the conclusion of the season, winners will be determined in each division by category identified below and an overall male and female champion declared. Becoming an UCCS champion will be a true test of one’s endurance, perseverance, and determination. In addition to the UCCS, a WUCA sponsored World Championship Race Series will be added to the WUCA Calendar for Century, 12-hour and 24-hour or more events.

  • DIVISIONS
    • There will be 6 divisions in the UCCS Series for 2018:
      • WORLD CUP OF ULTRACYCLING: A racer must race at least one each of 12-hour, 24-hour, and 1000+ mile events to qualify for this title. The racer whose average speed is highest for all 3 race categories will be crowned with the World Cup of WUCA for 2018. See a fuller description below in Section VI.
      • ULTRA CUP OF ULTRACYCLING: A racer must race at least one each of Century, 6-hour, and 12-hour events to qualify for this title. The racer whose average speed is highest for all 3 race categories will be crowned with the Ultra Cup of WUCA for 2018. See a fuller description below in Section VII.
      • 100 Mile CHALLENGE: A racer must race in at least 3 complete 100 Mile events to qualify for this challenge. The racer whose average speed is highest for all 3 race races will win this challenge. See a fuller description below in Section VIII.
      • 6-HOUR CHALLENGE: Racers accumulate mileage in any 6‐hour race on the UCCS calendar with the combined total mileage of their top three events to determine placing. See a fuller description below in Section IX.
      • 12‐HOUR CHALLENGE: Racers accumulate mileage in any 12‐hour race on the UCCS calendar with the combined total mileage of their top three events to determine placing. See a fuller description below in Section iX.
      • 24–HOUR CHALLENGE: Racers accumulate mileage in any 24‐hour race on the UCCS calendar with the combined total mileage of their top three events to determine placing. See a fuller description below in Section IX.
      • 500 Mile Series Challenge: Racers earn participation awards based on the completion of two or more designated 500–mile races in the UCCS calendar. See a fuller description below in Section VIII.
  • CATEGORIES

In each of the divisions identified above, racers will be ranked in categories based on: GENDER (male; female; mixed for teams and tandem only)

AGE (<18; 18 – 49; 50 – 59; 60 – 69; 70 and older; for teams average age less than 50 and greater than or equal to 50; for tandems combined age less than 100 and combined age greater than or equal to 100)

BICYCLE TYPE (standard; recumbent; HPV)

RIDER CONFIGURATION (solo; team [2, 4, and 8; solo club; club team; tandem)

  • Either average speed (for World & Ultra Cup) or total mileage (for other Challenges) will be used in 2018, so there is no need to calculate or keep track of points for each category.
  • Age is determined by birth year, regardless of actual age on the day of a given event. For example, in 2018 all riders born in 1967 will compete in the 50 — 59 age group.
  • REGISTRATION
  • All WUCA members are automatically entered in the WCUC. Separate registration is not necessary. All WUCA members that participate in the minimum required events for each Challenge (World Cup, Ultra Cup, and 6/12/24/500 events on the calendar will be included in the standings.
  • To earn average speed or mileage credit for any given event, a racer must be a member of the WUCA prior to that event. Under no circumstances will credit for any event be awarded retroactively.
  • GENERAL RULES
  • The UCCS season begins January 1st, and ends on December 31st, except that no event will be added in December without a minimum of 90 days’ notice to WUCA members
  • Results of UCCS events will be submitted by event organizers and/or compiled by WUCA officials and posted on the WUCA website within two weeks of the conclusion of each event. Individual racers do not have to submit their results, but it is strongly recommended that each racer check the standings to verify that their results are posted correctly.
  • If a racer finds an error with posted results and/or standings, the racer has two weeks from the date of posting of the results on the WUCA website to make a protest. Protests must be made in writing to the UCCS chair and copied to the WUCA executive director. Emailed protests are acceptable. Once a protest is made, the UCCS chair will investigate and render a decision within two weeks of receiving the protest. If a racer disagrees with the UCCS chair’s decision, the racer may appeal the decision by adhering to the WUCA appeals policy.
  • If a racer feels these rules have been misinterpreted, or if they feel they have been treated unfairly according to these rules, they may file a protest. Protests must be made in writing to the UCCS chair and copied to the WUCA executive director. Racers may email their protests. The deadline to file a protest is two weeks from the date of the alleged infraction, or two weeks after the final event on the UCCS calendar, whichever comes first. Once a protest is made, the UCCS chair will investigate and render a decision within two weeks. If a racer disagrees with the UCCS chair’s decision, the racer may appeal the decision by adhering to the WUCA appeals policy
  • All racers must meet the minimum number of events to be included in the UCC standings for that specific challenge.
  • All racers earning top average and/or mileage ratings will be eligible for divisional awards and/or prizes as determined by the WUCA Board
  • The overall male and female World and Ultra Cup champions will be determined by their average speed of their top 3 races in those Challenges. Categorical champions will be determined by their average speed based on categorical placing against other WUCA members at each event. Any solo racer using a standard or recumbent bicycle is eligible for the overall male and female World and Ultra Cup championships
  • Most event organizers will have WUCA membership application forms available at

their event and can accept your membership application on behalf of the WUCA. If you join the WUCA at an UCCS event, you will be considered a member immediately, and can earn points beginning with that event.

  • Event organizers are not responsible to ensure that an individual racer is a member of the WUCA prior to their event. That responsibility lies solely with the individual racer, and it is strongly recommended that racers confirm their membership status beforehand.
  • Each event on the UCCS calendar will have a set of rules by which their event is governed. Racers must abide by the event’s specific rules and regulations. Event organizers are solely responsible for enforcing their event’s rules and regulations. They are required to sort out any infractions, irregularities, disqualifications, adjustments of time and so forth, in their final standings before submitting official results to the WUCA. Under no circumstances will the WUCA arbitrate disputes between event organizers and participants.
  • To have a specific event qualify toward World Cup, Ultra Cup, or any Challenge, racers must officially finish an event that is based on a time or distance. For timed events, racers are credited for their average speed or distance for that event. For distance events, racers must finish the entire distance for that event.
  • Racers earn average speed/or mileage in any and all divisions that an event participates in. For example, if a racer participated in Bike Sebring 24, they would earn mileage toward the WUCA 24-hour Challenge and the World Cup.
  • The WUCA has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) or technological fraud such as the use of any mechanical device to aid pedaling. Any racer found to have violated this policy will forfeit any events participated in and be barred from competing for a period as determined by the WUCA Board of Directors. Any racer under suspension by another sporting sanctioning/governing body, the World Anti Doping Agency or a national anti-doping agency, is not eligible to have any events count toward any WOUC during their period of suspension. The WUCA reserves the right to conduct testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and mechanical devices. Any athlete who refuses to be tested will be disqualified and subject to suspension as determined by the WUCA Board of Directors
  • The WUCA is not responsible for cancellations or schedule changes for the events on the UCCS calendar. If an event is cancelled and a racer was counting on that event to help them meet the minimum requirement for any Challenge, it is up to them to make sure they race in a different event.

Racers may only earn credit for an event that is listed on the UCCS calendar. To view the complete UCCS calendar, go to: https://worldultracycling.com/calendar-top-level/

  • The WUCA reserves the right to modify the UCCS rules and the UCCS calendar at any time.

VI WORLD CUP OF ULTRACYCLING

Note: WUCA has change the way the rankings for the World Cup are calculated. In the old format: we believe to win the World Cup a racer benefitted disproportionately from racing in as many races as possible compared to how fast the racer rode. The WUCA Board believes a better system for scoring racers’ performances in World Cup events is possible and therefore has adopted a new set of rules that will better reward the fastest racers in our sport.

  • Every WUCA member that rides and completes at least one event of all 3 categories listed here: any 12-hour, 24-hour, and 1000+ mile events listed on the UCCS calendar.  Members will be ranked based on their average speed in the appropriate division/category.
  • The average speed of each racer’s fastest event in each of the 3 events (12-hour, 24-hour, 1000+ mile) will be used to rank them for the overall World Cup Championship as well as the Categorical Championship for World Cup.
  • All racers are encouraged to race in more than one of each of the events required, and the fastest average speed will be used to rank them.
  • Both drafting and non-drafting events may be ridden as well as supported and unsupported. If the event is on the calendar then it is valid to be ridden.
  • Any solo racer using a standard or recumbent bicycle is eligible for the overall male and female World Cup championship.
  • Substitution allowed: At most one (1) longer event may be substituted for a shorter event. For example, if a racer is unable to attend or finish a 12-hour event for whatever reason and has completed 2 24-hour events; One of those 24-hour events may be used for the 12-hour event, and the other for the 24-hour event. This will most likely have the effect of lowering that member’s average speed for the total events since a longer and probably slower speed will be averaged into their average speed for all events, but it will at least allow them to meet the minimum required events and get an official placing.
  • The ULTRA CUP OF ULTRACYCLING
  • Every WUCA member that rides and completes at least one event of a: Century, 6-hour, and 12-hour event listed on the UCCS calendar will be ranked based on average speed in the appropriate division/category.
  • The average speed of each racer’s fastest event in each of the 3 events (Century, 6-hour, and 12-hour) will be used to rank them for the overall Ultra Cup Championship as well as the Categorical Championship for Ultra Cup.
  • All racers are encouraged to race in more than one of each of the events required, and the fastest average speed will be used to rank them.
  • Both drafting and non-drafting events may be ridden.
  • Any solo racer using a standard or recumbent bicycle is eligible for the overall male and female Ultra Cup championship.
  • Substitutions allowed: At most one (1) longer event may be substituted for a shorter event. For example, if a racer is unable to attend or finish a 6-hour event for whatever reason and has completed 2 12-hour events; One of those 12-hour events may be used for the 6-hour event, and the other for the 12-hour event. This will most likely have the effect of lowering that member’s average speed for the total events since a longer and probably slower speed will be averaged into their average speed for all events, but it will at least allow them to meet the minimum required events and get an official placing.
  • 100-Mile and 500–Mile SERIES CHALLENGES
    • 100-Mile Challenge: Any WUCA member that rides at least 3 Century races listed on the UCCS calendar will be ranked on average speed in the appropriate division/category. Racers may complete in more than 3 Centuries, but their 3 fastest Centuries will be used and averaged together.
    • 500 Mile Challenge: An overall 500‐mile series champion will be awarded to the racer successfully completing the greatest number of designated races with the minimum requirement that two races are completed. In the event two or more racers successfully finish the same number of events, the racer with the lowest overall lapsed time will be declared the champion.
    • Racers successfully completing two or more races in the 500-­‐mile series

challenge will have the right to purchase an award recognizing their achievement.

    • Substitution rule: One (1) valid and complete record attempt may be substituted for the same length event for either of these Challenge events as well. Also, even if the rider has completed more than the minimum required events for the Challenge, if their record attempt yields a faster time, then that record attempt may be substituted for a slower event. Any rider that wants to substitute a record attempt must let the current UCCS Chair know what record attempt should be substituted for what Challenge event. This must be done before the end of the calendar year.
  • 6-12–AND 24-HOUR Challenges
    • Any WUCA member that rides at least one 6, 12 or 24-hour race listed on the UCCS calendar will be ranked on total mileage in the appropriate division/category.
    • Standings in each respective division are based on the combined mileage for a WUCA member’s top three mileage earning 6, 12 or 24–hour events listed on the UCCS calendar.
    • Racers may compete in more than three 6, 12 or 24-­‐hour events, but only their top three mileage earning events will count toward the standings.
    • Racers successfully completing two or more races in the 500-­‐mile series

challenge will have the right to purchase an award recognizing their achievement.

    • An overall 500‐mile series champion will be awarded to the racer successfully completing the greatest number of designated races with the minimum requirement that two races are completed. In the event two or more racers successfully finish the same number of events, the racer with the lowest overall lapsed time will be declared the champion.
    • Substitution rule: One (1) valid and complete record attempt may be substituted for the same length event for any of the Challenge events as well. For example, a rider may have completed 2 6-hour events. They will not officially qualify for standings unless they have 3 completed events. In this situation, a valid 6-hour record attempt made be used as the 3rd qualifying Challenge event. Also, even if the rider has completed 3 or more events for the 6-hour Challenge, if their record attempt yields a faster time, then that record attempt may be substituted for a slower event. Any rider that wants to substitute a record attempt must let the current UCCS Chair know what record attempt should be substituted for what Challenge event. This must be done before the end of the calendar year.
  • 2018 WUCA CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
    • The WUCA will announce the date and location of one or more Championship races for the current Calendar year.  One may be selected as the WUCA World Championship. These events will be chosen from valid Century, 6-hour, 12-hour and 24+hour, & 1000+ mile events currently on the calendar.
    • To be eligible to race in the WUCA Championship Series Races a racer must be a full WUCA member prior to the event.
    • Overall solo male and female champions will be declared in each event.
    • Champions will be declared in each category (see section III for a list of categories) in

accordance with UCCS Cup rules.

    • Since these events are also on the UCCS Calendar, they will also be counted as events for each racer for all other series championships.
    • The WUCA may consider qualification standards for the Century, 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour and 1000+mile championship races in the future. If so, details will be posted on the WUCA website at least six months before the championship race.
  • TEAMS
  • Teams are welcome to compete in the UCCS and will be ranked exactly as the guidelines of the solo riders.
  • Using the criteria identified in Section III, the team standings will be sorted by

division and category.

  • Teams must abide by the same rules and regulations as solo riders.
  • Teams may consist of 2, 4 and up to 8 members, and may be configured as all male, all

female or mixed gender. However, all team members must use the same bicycle type.

  • Teams must select a name and a captain and register for the UCCS by notifying the UCCS Chair. The registration process is for informational purposes and to determine eligibility of team members. There will not be any additional fees for teams to register.
  • Team rosters may change at any time during the season provided the change does not cause a shift in category. Roster changes must be made in writing to the UCCS chair and copied to the WUCA executive director by the team captain and received at least 24 hours before the start of the first event where the modification will occur. Emailed changes to the roster are acceptable. Failure to notify the WUCA properly will result in negation of any potential points.
  • All team members must be members of the WUCA prior to the first event they will race

in for the team. Under no circumstances will points/mileage be awarded retroactively, or to a team that is not fully comprised of WUCA members.

  • There can be no more than one substitution per team per season. Specific rules for handoffs must be followed.
  • Teams may only race in an event on the UCCS calendar that offers a team

division. The WUCA will not require an event to create a team division, nor restructure their rules, if they do not already have a team division.

  • Team champions will be declared in each division and category in accordance with UCCS rules.
  • TANDEMS
  • Tandems are welcome to compete in the UCCS and will be ranked exactly as the guidelines of the solo riders.
  • Using the criteria identified in Section III, the standings for tandems will be sorted by

division and category.

  • Tandems must abide by the same rules and regulations as solo riders.
  • Tandems may be configured as all male, all female or mixed gender.
  • Tandems must select a name and a captain and register for the UCCS by notifying the UCCS Chair. The registration process is for informational purposes and to determine eligibility of tandem members. There will not be any additional fees for tandems to register.
  • Tandem rosters may change at any time during the season, provided the change does not cause a shift in category. Roster changes must be made in writing to the UCCS chair and copied to the WUCA executive director, by the team captain, and received at least 24 hours before the start of the first event where the modification will occur. Emailed changes to the roster are acceptable. Failure to notify the WUCA properly will result in the negating of any potential points.
  • All tandem members must be members of the WUCA prior to the first event they will

race in for the tandem. Under no circumstances will points/mileage be awarded

retroactively, or to a tandem that is not fully comprised of WUCA members.

  • There can be no more than one substitution per tandem per season.
  • Tandems may only race in an event on the UCCS calendar that offers a

tandem division. The WUCA will not require an event to create a tandem division, nor restructure their rules, if they do not already have a tandem division.

  • Tandem champions will be declared in each division and category in accordance with UCCS rules.
  • TEAM CLUB
  • The Team Club category will recognize the combined achievements of solo racers competing under the auspices of a designated racing team or bicycling club.
  • A Team Club must register for the UCCS by notifying the UCCS Chair. The registration process is for informational purposes and to determine eligibility of members. There will not be any additional fees to register.
  • There is no limit to the number of racers that can be registered and racers can be added at any time by notifying the UCCS Chair, but must be added at least 7 days before any given event. Failure to do so may negate any points scored.
  • No individual racer can be a member of more than one Team Club. Individuals and any Team Club can petition the UCCS Chair to have a racer move from one Team Club to another. Any such move is at the discretion of the UCCS Chair and will be determined on a case–by–case basis.
  • All Team Club members must be members of the WUCA prior to the first event they

race. Under no circumstances an event be accepted retroactively or to a Team Club that is not fully comprised of WUCA members.

  • A Team Club will be ranked on the overall solo placing of its members. To be eligible, a Team Club must have three or more members racing, and finish in any event.   There is no limit on the number of racers competing in any event. The team member with the fastest average speed is the member that will be counted.
  • Team Club champions will be declared in for the UCC in accordance with UCC rules with the exception that no distinction will be drawn based on gender, age or bike type. A Team Club can be single gender and/or mixed gender. A Team Club can include racers of any age. A Team Club can have all racers on standard bikes, all recumbent bikes or be a mix of standard and recumbent bikes. A racer cannot though change bike platform during a race. Tandems and HPVs are not permitted.
  • Team Club racers must abide by the same rules and regulations as solo riders.
  • RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
  • The top racer/team in each category in each division will receive an award from the WUCA.
  • Racers and teams that complete at least the minimum events for each category will receive a certificate.
  • The top Team Club will receive an award from the WUCA.
  • EXCLUSION POLICY

The WUCA has an interest in maintaining an atmosphere of fairness. And while WUCA does not determine the rules of the separate races, it is the expectation of WUCA that all such rules be applied fairly. Race directors shall give all applicants and racers equal treatment under the rules of their event. Race director shall not refuse entry to an applicant without a race-related cause, nor give prejudicial treatment to any applicant or racer. If a race director is found to be in violation of this policy, WUCA shall have the right to remove the event from the WUCA calendar, and to publicize such removal.

The WUCA also requires that any WUCA member participating in any event that is on the WUCA Calendar adheres to the rules delineated in this document, the published race rules, and conducts himself or herself in a manner that does not bring himself or herself or the WUCA into disrepute.  This includes any behavior or communication before, during or after the event.  Any member in violation of this policy may have any event earned deducted, be subject to disqualification from the UCCS for the season or expelled from the organization.