Rules for all RVA Racing Events

REGULATING BODY: USA Cycling (USAC) sanctioned events are USA Cycling Regulated, so USAC rules will be strictly followed. This applies to the Underground Series, Throat Punch Series, and any event designated as USAC sanctioned or where USAC licenses are required to race.

USAC Rule Book:  Click here for the USA Cycling Rule Book.

Protests: Every racer has the right to file a protest as long as it is within the 15-minute protest period after the results are posted. The Race director will announce when results are posted and the protest start/end period. The 15 minutes is primarily for changes that effect podiums. As the race director’s discretion, results past that 15-minute period, that do NOT affect podiums, can be changed if needed.

Cheating/Course Cutting: If a racer accuses another racer of cheating, the protesting racer must have valid evidence of the other racer cheating, which includes witnesses. The race official may ask to view the accused person’s Garmin/computer, etc. If the person accusing the other person of cheating cannot prove that cheating took place, the accuser is subject to being disqualified by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Helmets: If you are on your bike, you are wearing a helmet. You must wear a helmet while warming up or racing on the course for any RVA Racing event.

Series Races: Most RVA Racing series are set up as “most races, best places” wins system. Be sure to check the series registration page for specifics on number of races to qualify and how many races can be dropped for each series. Series points will be awarded based on your finishing position and scale from first place to last, where your rank is you points score: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

Team Competition: More on this soon!

Podiums & Awards: Categories require 10 racers to become eligible for awards:

• We recognize podiums 5-deep.

• Awards/Prizes go 3-deep.

• For those events where we have a cash payout for any field, payouts will be determined based on entries. Remember, payout starts at 10 racers and increases with more entries.

Feed Zones: Non-USAC events will have are open feed zones at all races. Food and water can be taken from anyone, anywhere on the course, unless the race director deems otherwise.

For USAC events, feeding is ONLY allowed in designated feed/technical zones unless the chief referee approves course-wide feeding. Check with the race director for clarification.

Mechanical Issues & Aid on Course: You must start and finish on the same bike. You MUST carry any equipment required to repair your bike with you during the race. If you do have a mechanical, you CAN receive aid from other racers or from the neutral aid stations on-course. You CANNOT get tools or receive help from spectators or anyone not actively racing on course. Other than to pit in a neutral aid station, you CANNOT leave the course.

Category/Class Sizes: Promoter has the right to combine categories/classes based on rider turnout or any other factors the promoter feels necessary to ensure the inclusion of any type of rider.

Junior Classes: We welcome all juniors 8 years of age and older. RVA Racing tries to follow National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) categories and format as much as possible; however, field sizes typically dictate where/when we differ from NICA and VAHS. For all U23 racers: 

• Categories are designed to allow juniors to compete based on ability.

• We welcome all juniors 8 years of age and older. But common-sense rules apply for safety of all racers on course.

• Juniors will be competing on courses with adults. 

• RVA Racing policy requires that ALL junior racers MUST be on adult-sized bicycles (e.g., 27.5 or 29 platforms).

• Juniors must be capable of completing the entire lap count for their category (baring technical issues).

• ALL racers are encouraged to register for the category that best aligns to their ability as long as they are compliant with the category age determinate (U23, U19, U16, etc.).

• Distances are aligned to Adult Expert, Sport, and Beginner categories.

• Expert (U23) is Equivalent to Adult EXPERT.

• Spory (U19) is equivalent to Adult SPORT.

• Beginner (U16) is equivalent to Adult BEGINNER.

• NOVICE (U12) has no adult equivalent and will be determined based on venue.

• If you’re unsure:

• Check out course map, distance, and lap count.

• Use the age determined brackets (U23, U19, U16, U12) as a guide.

• Still unsure – talk to a coach, friend, or hit us up at info@rvaracing.com

E-bikes: All E-bikes must be Class 1 (No throttle, Max speed of 20 mph). No exceptions. Class 3 or “Chipped” or “Jail-Broke” e-bikes are illegal. The race officials have the right to inspect and/or ride your bike after the race for compliance. Infractions will result in disqualification from the race, series, and the season.

Lost Riders: We work hard to ensure all our courses are well-marked. Cutting the course short by any rider, whether by accident or not, will lead to disqualification or relegation to last place in your class. Riders are responsible attending the pre-race brief in case there are day-of changes, knowing the course, and following course markings. Check the registration site or with race promoters about course maps and descriptions.

DNFs: If you have to quit a race for any reason, please let the scoring crew know so we don’t go searching the course for you. If you have a legitimate DNF due to injury or mechanical, see the race director – at their discretion, you may qualify for a free entry to your next race.

Pre-Rides (Race Day): Up to 30-minutes before the race starts, there will be no pre-riding or warming up on the course. Racers are subject to disqualification from their race with no refund if found on-course outside their category race times. This is a safety issue, and we cannot make exceptions.

Behavior: The race director and officials reserve the right to warn or disqualify anyone from an event for unsportsmanlike conduct (profanity towards volunteers or other riders, foul-riding, throwing your bike). If you are caught exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior or cursing at another rider for any reason, the official can disqualify you from that race and the series official may suspend you for one or more races (see USAC rules).

Denial of Access: The race director reserves the right to deny entry to any individual race, the series, and/or venue to anyone with explanation.

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

RVA Racing is the only race promoter who offers a “no-risk registration policy” to all our pre-registered racers.

Why? We want you to register early so we can do our part to run an amazing event.

So, whether it’s last-minute changes or family stuff that comes up - we’ve got your back!

Here’s how it works:

RVA Racing will offer you the choice of either a full refund or credit of your registration fees in cases where:

• YOU cannot make the race,

• WE cancel the race, or

• WE postpone or reschedule the race and the new date does not work for you.

Just email us NO LATER THAN TWO-DAYS BEFORE the event at info@rvaracing.com and let us know.

• If YOU notify us LESS THAN TWO-DAYS BEFORE the event, you will receive a credit.

• YOU are not eligible if you notify us on or after race day.

In ALL cases, credits are good for any RVA Racing Events race or merchandise in the current year and for the next 2 years.