This year we will be re-introducing the Beginner Racer Program (BRP) geared to Cat4/5 racers, in an effort to make racing safer through education and introducing new potential racers to the sport.

The Beginning Racer Program is a USA Cycling program designed to provide Cat 4 & 5 racers with an enjoyable and educational experience as they learn to enhance and develop their bike racing skills. The program is broken down into five separate clinics, with each clinic holding a unique and progressive curriculum. Each clinic is comprised of three components; 1) on-bike instructional clinic, 2) mentored race, and 3) clinic and race debrief. The five clinics are:

Clinic 1 – Basic Pack Skills – Protecting Your Front Wheel
Clinic 2 – Cornering – Choosing and Holding Your Line
Clinic 3 – Pack Awareness & Skills
Clinic 4 – Sprinting Basics
Clinic 5 – Bringing it All Together

USA Cycling rules state a Cat 5 cyclist may upgrade to Cat 4 by obtaining 10 points. These points can be achieved by finishing 10 mass start races, or 5 USA Cycling approved Beginning Racer Program clinics, or a combination of both. Mass start races count as one (1) point each and USA Cycling approved Beginning Racer Program clinic count as 2 points each clinic. In order to receive the full two (2) points from a USA Cycling Beginning Racer Program clinic, the rider must take part in all three (3) components of the clinic; 1) on-bike instruction/clinic, 2) race, 3) race debrief (no partial points will be awarded for only attending one of the three components of the clinic)

The Utah 2018 Beginning Racer Clinics will be held as follows:

Wednesday April 25th 7:15-8:15pm: Clinic 1

Wednesday May 2nd 7:15-8:15pm: Clinic 2

Wednesday May 9th 7:15-8:15pm: Clinic 3

Wednesday May 16th 7:15-8:15pm: Clinic 4

Wednesday May 23rd 7:15-8:15pm: Clinic 5

Wednesday May 30th 7:15-8:15pm: make up day for inclement weather

All clinics will be held at the Utah DLD in conjunction with the Utah Crit Series races. All riders must hold a current USA Cycling Race license.

The Beginning Racer Clinic Series is open to all men and women Cat 4/5 riders, though only Cat 5 riders will receive all 10 upgrade points. Cat 4 riders will receive 3 upgrade points for completing the series.

To encourage safer racing in Utah, Specialized is providing a pair of their top-end racing tires- the S-Works Turbo (a $110 value), to everyone who finishes all five clinics!

Also, each rider completing the series will receive a 5-punch pass good for 5 races in the Utah Crit Series, courtesy of the UCA and Utah Crit Series

It is highly encouraged to have an annual race license prior to the clinics. Otherwise you will need a one-day license for each of the five clinics as they are on separate days. An annual license will cost about the same and save everyone the hassle of filling out the paperwork at check-in for each clinic.

** To pull off the BRP, we will require a number of Cat 1,2,3 racers to volunteer as mentors during the clinics. 1,2,3’s this is your chance to get involved. Please email me your contact info if you are willing to share your knowledge and skills to help grow our sport!

dean.zenoni@utahcycling.com

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