The 2009 Zipp Ohio Valley Cyclo-Cross Tour is a 15 race series in the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis region. Racers accumulate points for participation and placing in series races to win the overall championship. The series includes 5 UCI-sanctioned events, including the first two stops on the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross!
Racers may compete in one of the following categories:
The categories listed above you will see at all OVCX races in 2009. The five UCI events (Oct 9-11, and Oct 24-25) will have separate starting times for Elite men and women, which is why the table above states "non-UCI."
In 2008 for the first time, the Ohio Valley Cyclo-Cross Series changed over from the 10-year old A, B, and C category system to the USA Cycling system of Cat 1,2,3, and 4. Ideally, you would race what's on your USCF license for cyclo-cross.
How to determine your “Cyclo-cross Racing Age” – this can be very confusing. The simplest way to answer the question is – what is your age in years on December 31, 2010? That number is your cyclo-cross racing age. It is your usually USA Cycling racing age +1.
Master Men: Masters are those with cyclocross racing age 35 and over. No one below racing age 35 may compete in Masters events. In the elite masters, a Masters 45+ category will also be scored. In the beginner race, both a 35+ and 45+ beginner masters score will be kept (although all beginner masters will race together). For 2009, both a 35+ and 45+ category will be scored in the Cat 3 race as well.
Juniors: Four Junior Categories will be scored in OVCX: Juniors 10-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18.
Points towards the overall series placings are earned for the best SEVEN race results in which a rider takes the start. The final race in the series counts for double points.