WHICH CATEGORY TO ENTER?
We get asked which category is which from time to time, so we decided to break it down and post it here for your convenience.
Beginner (Cat 3) – this category is for anyone who is just starting to race, even if you have ridden for a couple years it may not be a bad idea to enter your first (or first several) races as a beginner.
Sport (Cat 2) – this category is for intermediate riders, and racers who have progressed past the beginner category. Usually these riders will spend several hours a week on the bike. The Sport category often has the most competitors.
Expert (Cat 1) – an expert racer has been riding and racing for several years. The expert racer was consistently in the top 5 of the sport category, and is ready for a challenge. Expert racers train hard and learn each race course.
Pro – this category is for extremely experienced racers only, it will be extremely competitive. Pro racers have usually been racing for several years, train consistently, and focus on learning each aspect of a race course.
2024 SERIES RULES (AGS DOWNHILL AND ENDURO)
Racers will receive points for all races that are finished, there is no minimum number of competitors in each class to receive points.
Each racers worst race will be dropped from the standings, so if there is 5 races we will only score 4 of them per rider. This keeps the field competitive.
Standings will be updated after each race, and will be available on the vnwtiming.com web site as well as the velo-northwest.com.
All racers will be required to wear a helmet at all times while on course.
Any racer caught cutting course will be disqualified and no refund will be given.
COURSE MARKINGS
STAGES / COURSES – All Velo Northwest stages/courses are marked with blue flags, arrows, paint, and often with blue race tape. Please make sure to read all signage when previewing a course, this will help you get where you need to go.
Transfer stages, and other untimed sections will be marked with white flags, or arrows on white paper, or white paint.
Courses will typically be announced one week before an event, and marked completely before organized practice begins (details on each events page).
DOWNHILL CATEGORIES
Pro Women
Pro Men
Expert Women Open
Expert Women 18 & Under
Expert Men 50+
Expert Men 40-49
Expert Men 30-39
Expert Men 19-29
Junior Expert Men – 18 & Under
Sport Women Open
Sport Women 15-18
Sport Girls 12-14
Sport Men 50+
Sport Men 40-49
Sport Men 30-39
Sport Men 19-29
Sport Men 15-18
Sport Boys 12-14
Beginner Women Open
Beginner Women 15-18
Beginner Girls 12-14
Beginner Girls 11 & Under
Beginner Men 50+
Beginner Men 40-49
Beginner Men 30-39
Beginner Men 19-29
Beginner Men 15-18
Beginner Boys 12-14
Beginner Boys 11 & Under
ENDURO CATEGORIES
Pro Women
Pro Men
Expert Women 40-49
Expert Women 19-39
Expert Women 18 & Under
Expert Men 50+
Expert Men 40-49
Expert Men 30-39
Expert Men 19-29
Junior Expert Men – 18 & Under
Women 40+
Women 19-39
Women 18 & Under
Men 50+
Men 40-49
Men 30-39
Men 19-29
Men 18 & Under
REFUNDS
Refund of 50% within 30 days of event, no refunds within 14 days of event. Entry fees can be transferred to new rider up until 3 days prior to event, but not after.
Cancellation due to weather and situations beyond our control – Our races will be run in all weather conditions, so please always plan for the event to go on. Events may be cancelled/postponed due to the permitting government, venue, or in event of extreme weather conditions that deem the trails unsafe or unridable.
We will do our best to accommodate all special requests in the instance of a cancellation, but the standard procedure will be to transfer race entry fees forward to another event. In some instances not all fees will be transferrable forward (in the event of certain services already being provided, i.e. shuttle or food)