USA Cycling has revealed a qualification process that will be in place for the 2005 USCF Elite National Track Cycling Championships later this year. Riders who want to compete on the track for stars and stripes jerseys must qualify for nationals through the 2005 Velodrome Championship Series, a schedule of 17 races to be held at 22 velodromes across the nation.
This initiative is a major step toward tying together all of the nation’s facilities and forming a true national program for track cycling. With this latest development, each velodrome in the U.S. will have an important annual race with national implications.
"Not only will velodromes benefit as the sport becomes more united across the country," explained USA Cycling national track programs director Pat McDonough, "but there will be additional opportunities to discover new talent in riders, officials and promoters. Track cycling itself will be able to grow stronger with a visible ladder that leads from the beginning levels of the sport to the very top."
The top five men and top three women in each of the individual events at each velodrome championship will qualify to race for national titles. For team events, the top two teams at each velodrome championship will earn themselves a start spot in Carson. Riders who qualify may do so in either sprint or endurance-related disciplines and will be eligible to enter the national championships for all of the events in the area which they qualify.
All cyclists wishing to compete in the Velodrome Championship Series must hold a valid USCF or UCI racing license and have a racing age of 17 or above. All females meeting the criteria may enter. Male riders must hold a category 4 license for time trial events and a category 3 license or above for mass start races.
The 2005 Velodrome Championship Series kicks off on May 20 at the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas and concludes July 3 at the Encino Velodrome in Encino, Calif.
For more information on the 2005 Velodrome Championship Series, visit www.usacycling.org
