October 4, 2006 – The Ontario Cycling Association is changing its divisions for road racing to put more of a focus on entry-level cyclists and skill-based masters divisions.

The association held a meeting in Toronto on Tuesday night (Oct. 3) where it presented its proposed changes to race organizers, coaches and athletes. Although the changes are planned for the 2007 season, OCA executive director Steve Merker said that what was presented is simply a framework that could be customized, based on the feedback the OCA receives.

The biggest changes will affect the men’s masters divisions, which are currently set up based on the ages of athletes. Master A is for riders from 30-39, B is for 40-44 and so on. What’s on the table is a skill-based division system with all of the masters racing in three categories similar to the senior divisions now. Master 3 would be the incoming division for less experienced racers. Master 2 would likely be the biggest division with intermediate riders competing. Master 1 would be the highest division for top level Masters riders.

In order to properly seed the riders for next year, the OCA will be proposing an equivalency chart to ensure a seamless transition into the new categories which will take approximately the top 35 Master A and B riders and the top 10 C riders to form the Master 1 category for 2007.

The entry age for Masters is also changing. Any riders 34 or younger would still have to race senior events, rather than the 30-year-old minimum currently in place. However, what’s on the table is a feathered-in approach that wouldn’t see the new age limits coming into full affect for five years. (The OCA contacted us after we posted this report to indicate this grandfather clause is still up for consideration. There is a chance the OCA will implement the age change with no grandfathering – ed).

There are still other details to be worked out, such as the how the point upgrade structure will work, but it’s fair to say these new divisions are expected to be in place for the upcoming season. When Masters riders apply for their membership, they will select both a UCI category, such as Master B, as well as the Ontario race division such as Master 2.

They will continue to receive the original UCI category because the provincials and nationals will still be raced in the old Master A, B, C and D divisions.

But the OCA also wants to focus on newcomers to the sport, so it is bringing back a sub-senior 3 level for less experienced riders. The Senior 4 category will be a mandatory division for first-time racers, which the association is hoping will make for both a safer Senior 3 fields as well as bigger race fields down the road.

Senior 4 level would become the incoming road division, but there would be the opportunity to upgrade if, for example, a rider wins the first three racers of the year.

With the changes in place, the new 2007 road race structure for men
would look like this:

– Senior 1/2
– Senior 3
– Senior 4
– Master 1
– Master 2
– Master 3

The changes to the racing structure were the result of recommendation by some organizers and racers last year who brought their ideas to the OCA. The association then formed a committee which included Merker, VP of administration and finance Aaron Hershoff, VP of development Michael Wolfe, development coordinator Jeremey Ludwig, as well as numerous commissaires, organizers and racers.

Merker reiterated the fact the suggestions on the table was the
framework the OCA would be following going forward, but that there
could be changes based on feedback received.