March 15/12 14:56 pm - Lastest News from the OCA

Posted by Editoress on 03/15/12
 

Lastest News from the Ontario Cycling Association

The OCA Announces Sportif Category at Road O-Cups

The Ontario Cycling Association is pleased to announce the inclusion of a new Sportif category at Road O-Cups in 2012. This category will allow the average rider to experience participating in Ontario’s prestigious road racing series, at a much shorter distance than the age/ability category races. Sportif participants will be able to watch the exciting start of the Elite Men’s race before they head to the start line, as the Sportif race will be the last event of the day going off right behind the M1 group. The distance of the race will vary depending on the course, but will range between 20-40km.

Continuing from 2011, there will be no non-member permits (aka one-event permits) for the O-Cup Road Series. Hosting a Sportif race at these events will allow those who do not hold a UCI licence to experience the series in a more relaxed, recreational fashion. All Sportif participants are required to purchase a citizen permit, which is an OCA membership that is also valid at entry level/mass participation events and weekly series’. This is a more affordable membership for those who are not (yet) serious about racing.

Be sure to check the tech guide of each event prior to registering to ensure that category is being offered at that specific race.

Note to club members: You are not required to purchase your 2012 OCA affiliate club membership (sold through your club) if you are a citizen permit holder. If you have already purchased this, and wish to upgrade to a citizen permit to take advantage of this new category, you will be credited $32 towards your citizen permit.

The 2012 Good Friday Road Race, now less than a month away, will be offering this new Sportif category, so be sure to spread the word amongst your fellow cyclists.


Attention All Male Cadet Road Athletes!

Starting 2012, in the interest of LTAD and increased quality of competition, the U17 (Cadet) Men category will no longer be run as a separate start at Regional and Ontario Cup events. U17 men that apply (see below) will now start with the U19 men in the middle of the day with an anticipated average field size of 25. U17 male athletes that are not permitted an upgrade to U19 or who choose not to race as U19¢s at the O-Cup level, will continue to race at the Youth Series along with Citizen level events and mass participation events/tours. The athletes will have to fall into one of these two options, and will not be permitted to race both O-cups and the youth series.