Despite their best efforts, it is often difficult for promoters to provide riders with clear information, easy registration, and fast results for one single event. Our work is to guide and assist promoters to reach this goal. Thus, if promoters request our assistance, we promise to riders to:

- assist promoters to prepare complete and easy to read flyers so that you get clear and accurate information in a single document;

- help promoters to organize safe and fair events;

- print out USAC waivers for you so that you simply need to sign at the bottom (if promoters use our online pre-registration system we assign you a number before the event starts, and your waiver and number will be waiting for you at registration)

- print out results within 10 min after referees provide us with finishing orders;

- post complete and easy to read results on our website within a few days after any event.

Whenever possible, La Roue d'Or will organize races on its own. But be aware we like technically and physically challenging courses... 

We finally want to help you becoming more literate about USAC rules which are often misinterpreted or not respected. If the sections below do not answer your question(s), feel free to contact us. We will use our very good knowledge of USAC and UCI rules, as well as our long experience in cycling to answer the best we can.

USAC license guide

Here are the different options for USA cycling categories (does not cover collegiate and BMX licenses):

Juniors
- Option 1: You only race one or two days a year.
Best choice: Purchase one day licenses ($10 per day) at registration on race day.

- Option 2: You race three or more days a year.
Best choice: Purchase an annual license ($30 for MTB only; $30 for Road/Track/Cyclo-cross only; valid until December 31st) on USA Cycling website or at registration on race day.

Elite and Master riders
- Option 1: You enter one to five Men cat. 5, Women cat 4, or Master race(s) a year .
Best choice: Purchase one day licenses ($10 per day) at registration on race day.

- Option 2: You race six or more days a year, or enter Men cat. 1-4, Women cat. 1-3 races.
Best choice: Purchase an annual license ($90 for all disciplines but BMX; $60 for MTB only; $60 for Road/Track/Cyclo-cross only; valid until December 31st) on USA Cycling website or at registration on race day.

- Option 3: You race International events in the USA and/or foreign Countries.
Best choice: Purchase an International license ($150 for USA citizens; $175 for non-citizens; valid until December 31st) on USA Cycling website.

Notes
- for information, USAC allows Elite and Master riders the following:
"You may apply the cost of your one day competitive license ($10) to the cost of your annual adult membership ($60). To receive the $10 discount, the one day license receipt needs to be attached to the annual license application at the time of purchase. One day license and annual license are for same rider. The one day license application needs to have been purchased within a three month period of the annual license purchase. For an online annual license purchase, the one day license application will need to be mailed to USA Cycling and a refund will be requested. Only one discount per adult annual license per year. Does not apply to International, Collegiate, or Junior licenses"

- you can retrieve all this information on the 2010 Schedule of fees page on USAC website;

- when filing a license on race day (one-day or annual), ask for the pink copy for proof of purchase (see first and last note for the importance of such receipt);

- one-day licenses are only valid for one day, not a full week-end; 

- we encourage you to purchase annual licenses through USA Cycling website rather than on-site to speed up the process and make sure you really get a license (it happened many times that USA Cycling never received rider applications because promoters did not send them, and riders were screwed because they did not have any proof they purchased a license).

Rule interpretation (we will insert some modifications soon after finishing reading the 2010 USAC rulebook)

To access the full 2010 USAC rulebook, visit this page. If you are only racing road events, we advise you to looking at Chapters 1 and 3, which are fast and easy to read, and explain almost everything you need to know.

Rules in cycling exist for two reasons: safety and fairness. If you are caught breaking one of these rule, then be prepared to receive sanctions.

A few rules riders commonly misinterpret:

- 1K6. "Registered riders of UCI Continental Teams may enter any road, track, or cyclo-cross Elite event that is open to category one riders... [Note that this rule does not apply to UCI Professional Continental Teams or UCI ProTour teams]."

- 1N5. "Jerseys must be worn in all races and shall cover the shoulders. Sleeveless jerseys are allowed only in non-international MTB races."

- 1N7. "Racing numbers. (a) Racing number are provided by the organizer, who may require a deposit that shall be refunded on return of the numbers in good order. The figures shall not be hand written, but printed in block letters using black waterproof ink... (b) Riders shall place their numbers as prescribed by the officials and in such a way that they are visible when the rider is in a racing position... Hip numbers shall be attached securely at least at the four corners and no accessory (or long hair) may cover them... Numbers may not be folded, trimmed, crumpled, or otherwise defaced. [Replacement of the numbers at riders' expense if noted before the start, otherwise warning or relegation.]"

- 1Q3. "Rules and Course. It is the rider's responsibility to familiarize himself with the rules of the event and the race course before the start of the race."

- 1Q4. "Withdrawal. Riders must immediately follow a referee's order to withdraw from the race [10 days suspension]."

- 3B1. "Center Line. If a course is not closed to traffic, all competitors must keep to the right of the center line or enforcement line, but may pass on either side of another rider [warning for accidental crossing of the center line with no advance in position; relegation or disqualification for advancing position; 10 day suspension for a flagrantly dangerous attack]."
To be associated with rule 1Q1: "No rider shall benefit from his or her misconduct. Misconduct on the part of a team member or support person may result in penalties to any member of the team who places in the event [relegation or disqualification]." 1
And associated with rule 3B2: "Rules of the Road. Riders shall, of their own responsibility, conform to all traffic regulations in force in the area where the race is held [relegation or disqualification and possible 10 day suspension]."

- 3D6. "Feeding is not permitted (in criteriums) unless specifically authorized by the Chief Referee."

Feel free to contact us if they are rules you do not understand or want to be clarified.