Request was denied on 2009-06-15 14:44 by Marc Gullickson

I'd like to say I copied and pasted the following from my inbox, but apparently the nuances of HTML vs. Plain Text are beyond USA Cycling. The following came as one solid line of text, peppered with HTML tags. It took me a good 10 minutes to get it into a readable format:

Dear Kevin Sweeney,

The following request to change your NORBA category has been denied by USA Cycling:

2009-06-07 11:09

Member: Kevin Sweeney
License: Cross Country Racer
Request to change category from Cat 1 to Pro

USA Cycling Response from Marc Gullickson:

2009 Pro Upgrade Requirements
Semi-pro Transition for 2008
4 September 2008/revision 2

In order to transition to the new categorization, all currently licensed Semi-Pro riders may choose to upgrade to Pro or be categorized as Category 1 at the end of the 2008 season. Riders wishing to opt-in for the automatic Pro upgrade must do so during the 2009 license period (December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009). Semi-pro riders not renewing their license in 2009 and not opting to upgrade to Pro will automatically become a Category 1.

2009 Pro Upgrading Requirements/Endurance (XCO) and Gravity (DH, 4X)
Category 1 riders may be eligible to be upgraded to Pro after achieving a combination of these minimum race results:

• Two top-three Category 1 (rider ability) finishes according to finish time (including all age classes in Category 1) at USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Calendar Category 1, 2 or 3 events.

OR

• Three top-five Category 1 (rider ability) finishes according to finish time (including all age classes in Category 1) at USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Calendar Category 1, 2 or 3 events.

AMBC, USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Calendar Category 4 (XCO) events, and International events may also be considered. Overall finish times will be factored into upgrade requests. Riders must submit their upgrade requests through their USA Cycling online membership account.

Thank you for supporting USA Cycling.

--USA Cycling Support

I've been typing up a response to this "news" for about two and a half hours now. Instead of posting a gigantic write-up that no one will be able to get through in one sitting, I'm splitting up my thoughts into separate posts. Unfortunately this means you'll have to stay on the edge of your seat until tomorrow.

First person to comment on how I can race the Root 66 Pro/Open class as a Cat1 wins a knee to the groin.