Did you Know……Race Categories, Move-ups, Move-downs
Race Categories
A race license confirms your racing credentials and participation rights as conditionally set forth through international (UCI) and national (Cycling Canada) race categories.
Races in Manitoba, will employ different models for segmenting participants into different categories. Some races will feature exclusively age-based categories, others will be ability-based, and some will use a mix of both.
More info on Age and Ability categories here: https://mbcycling.ca/membership/categories-upgrades/
Additional guidance through the MCA office: 204-925-5686
Race Category Changes
The category that is selected on your license for each cycling discipline is the category that each individual races in for the year, unless an athlete has been approved for change of category. If an athlete, coach, chief commissaire, or Race Director believes the license category needs to be changed, the following process is followed for category changes.
Apply for an MCA License Category Upgrade here: https://mbcycling.ca/apply-for-a-license-upgrade/
Upgrading Race Categories:
Who can request an Upgrade?
- Riders who believe they have outperformed their current category (i.e: consistently placing in top results)
- Provincial Coaches who are advocating for their athlete.
- Race Director and/or Chief Commissaire who have assessed results.
How to request:
- Submit a category change request here: https://mbcycling.ca/apply-for-a-license-upgrade/
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- The Provincial Race Director for the sport will converse with the Chief Commissaire to access/approve or deny request (see contact list below).
- License Revision:
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- The Race Director and/or Chief Commissaire will notify the MCA office re-approved requests.
- The MCA office will issue a new license with the category adjustment.
Who approves the request:
The Race Director, and Chief Commissaire assess, approve/deny requests. The Provincial coach will collaborate with the Race Director/Chief Commissaire on changes related to Provincial Program athletes.
Downgrading Race Categories:
Who can Request a Downgrade?
- Riders who have not been competitive in their current category due to age, fitness, time away from racing, or injury.
- Returning riders whose licenses place them too high for current ability.
How to request:
- Submit a category change request here: https://mbcycling.ca/apply-for-a-license-upgrade/
-
- The Provincial Race Director for the sport will converse with the Chief Commissaire to access/approve or deny request (see contact list below).
- License Revision:
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- The Race Director and/or Chief Commissaire will notify the MCA office re-approved requests.
- The MCA office will issue a new license with the category adjustment.
Note: Downgrades are not automatic and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
2025 Contacts:
Mountain Bike:
MTB Race Director: Darcy Beer mtb.mbcycling@gmail.com
MTB Chief Commissaire: Karin McSherry
Provincial Coach: Nick Bergen cycling.coach@sportmanitoba.ca
MCA Administration: Penny Seier cycling@sportmanitoba.ca
Road Cycling:
Road Race Director: road.mbcycling@gmail.com
Road Chief Commissaire: Candace Gauthier
Provincial Program Coach: Nick Bergen cycling.coach@sportmanitoba.ca
MCA Administration: Penny Seier cycling@sportmanitoba.ca
Cyclocross:
CX Race Director: cx.mbcycling@gmail.com
CX Chief Commissaire: Candace Gauthier
Provincial Program Coach: Nick Bergen cycling.coach@sportmanitoba.ca
MCA Administration: Penny Seier cycling@sportmanitoba.ca