As previously noted during the protest period following Lucarelli & Castaldi Race Club Series Race #7 several riders approached USAC officials with concerns that one of the sub-teams participating in the A-Field had violated the Club Series team field limits. Following further investigation the CRCA Board determined that the team in question in compliance with the field limits and the results will stand as originally posted.
However this investigation also highlighted that as previously written the field limits did not appropriately account for UCI/International licenses as part of the original spirit of the field limits. As such the language around field limits is being modified as described below. This revised language will go into effect immediately and will apply to this weekend's Club Series Race.
What are Field Limits and Why Do They Exist
The CRCA Club Series features sub-team field limits to support competitive balance between larger and smaller teams participating in the Club Series, particularly when the Club Series can on occasion feature smaller fields (as was the case this past weekend when one sub-team represented 21% of the A-field). Full details on team rules including sub-team field limits is always available on CRCA.net under 'CRCA Sub-Teams'
Historically the A-Field team limit was set at 7 riders. However several years ago the CRCA Board adjusted this field limit to take into account various sub-teams that have a significant number of Category 3 riders that do not necessarily have a significant impact on the competitive balance of the field as a whole. The Board at that time did not want the field limits to discourage these riders from participating in the club series. As a result at that time the CRCA Board adjusted the A-field limits to permit a total of 10 riders from a single team as long as no more than 7 were Category 1/2 racers. The specific language included in the team rules was as follows:
10. Field limits for Sub-teams Racing in CRCA Club Races: No more than the following numbers of members of one sub-team may race in a given field of a CRCA club race: 10 members for the A or Masters field (of whom only 7 can be USAC Category 1 or 2), 9 for the B field, and 9 for the Women’s field. CRCA sub-teams are not allowed to field multiple “teams” in the same field to circumvent these limits. Teams should make their recruiting decisions accordingly.
Adjusting the Field Limit Language
Unfortunately this A-field language did not specifically take into account UCI and International licenses as part of the 7 rider cap on 'Elite' racers - instead it focused solely on USAC Category 1 and Category 2 riders. As a result, this past weekend the sub-team in question was in compliance with the field limits while racing with 7 USAC Category 1/2 riders, 1 UCI/International licensed rider and 2 Category 3 riders (10 riders total).
Going forward the CRCA Board is adjusting the Field Limit language to reflect the original spirit of the field limit revision made several years ago - UCI/International licenses will be counted against the 7 rider limit for USAC Category 2 and above:
10. Field limits for Sub-teams Racing in CRCA Club Races: No more than the following numbers of members of one sub-team may race in a given field of a CRCA club race: 10 members for the A or Masters field (of whom only 7 can be Professional/International/UCI/USAC Category 1/USAC Category 2 licensed riders), 9 for the B field, and 9 for the Women’s field. CRCA sub-teams are not allowed to field multiple “teams” in the same field to circumvent these limits. Teams should make their recruiting decisions accordingly.
This change goes into effect immediately.
Additional Feedback
Thank you to all of the club members, including the sub-team in question, for the patience and support in assessing this situation. As always if you have additional feedback on the Club Series and field limits in particularly feel free to reach out to any board member.
