Racer Classifications

There are two divisions and four racing categories, and the NICA Rules can be a little confusing to sort out.  Here is a layman's primer to get you started.  For full details, or if you're having trouble sleeping, divisions and categories are covered in the NICA rulebook in section 3.

Divisions

Division 1 is for large school teams, Division 2 is for small school teams and Composites.  Composite teams are not allowed to grow large enough to compete in Division 1 because NICA wants to encourage the formation of school-based teams.  We are a Composite team, so we are in Division 2. 

Categories

It's easiest to think in terms of your default category, and how you can upgrade from there.  

Category Defaults
The defaults are simple. 6th, 7th and 8th graders race with their grade.  Freshmen and Sophomores race in (surprise!) the Freshman and Sophomore categories.  Juniors and Seniors both race in Junior Varsity. No one is in Varsity by default, because Varsity racers are freakishly fast.

Category Upgrades
From there, it's an upgrade system.  If your race history meets certain criteria and you want to race a faster crowd, you can petition to upgrade from your default category into JV or Varsity.  For example, if you do really well freshman year, you can petition to race Junior Varsity as a sophomore.  See section 3 of the NICA rulebook for details.

Composite Team Scoring

NorCal NICA composite teams operate under current league rules designed to keep team competition fair and to encourage the growth of school-based teams over time. Scoring recognizes school teams separately when they reach a certain size, while composite programs continue to train and ride together as one community.
  • Purpose: Maintain equitable team scoring and promote the formation of school teams as participation grows.
  • Scoring structure: When a sufficient number of riders attend from the same school, those riders are scored as a school team for league results, even while training and traveling with the composite program.
  • Composite operations: The composite program remains intact for practices, coaching, logistics, and community-building. Scoring groupings do not limit participation or access to team resources.
  • Implications for families: Riders from schools with enough teammates may see separate scoring under their school name at races. All riders continue to receive the same coaching, support, and inclusion within the composite team.