Dudes are coming to hang out!
I don't know if you've noticed it, New England, but there's been a steady influx of Cat 3's into the Verge Elite race this season. That's right... a grand total of four guys have moved up -- Kevin,Greg, Corey, and of course, the notorious "BW". You might think to yourself, how much do four guys really matter?
A lot.
You know how many guys upgraded from Verge B to Verge A mid-season in the last two years combined? Zero. Remember the Dylan McNicholas/James Tosca domination from the last year? Remember John Peterson, Josh Lipka and the ebay auction? It used to be that whatever guy won in B's in Vermont stuck around and won the series, and everyone who was fighting for 2nd stayed locked into B's right along with him. Hell, I know I did.
But this year it's different. And I think I know why. And, sadly, it's the one Verge series change Myerson pushed for that I didn't agree with.
When they dropped Cat 2's from the B race, it was a subtly powerful statement about what that field should be -- fast(er) guys who aren't dead serious about bike racing. Secretly, a large portion of the B field was dead serious about racing bikes (for example, me) and while we raced the 2/3 field, we waved our Cat 2 status at anyone who'd listen. See, you can get to be a Cat 3 just participating in a lot of Cat 4 races, but to be a Cat 2, man, you gotta beat people. If you're a Cat 2, you're either wicked talented, or you spend a lot of your time worrying about bike racing.
My tongue is firmly in cheek, but still, this is one of things you might outwardly joke about but inwardly believe. You wanna see how much people value their Cat 2 label, look at how many Cat 2's downgraded to Cat 3 this year. (Zero)
So, it used to be that you could have the glory of a Cat 2 license AND the glory of racing at the front of a race (2/3 Men). It was the best of all worlds -- no wonder no one wanted to upgrade.
But that little number on your license means so much, for such silly reasons. Dominating a Cat 3 field just doesn't have the same appeal, because it means (1) you're a Cat 3 and (2) you're beating Cat 3s. And if you eat/sleep/drink/breathe bike racing (like many of us do), having that little number on your license annoys the shit outta you. Because dammit, you're good, not like the rest of the riff-raff, amirite?
So here we are. Now, if you want a license that says "I'm serious business" you gotta line up with a field of guys who are also pretty serious business, and race longer and harder against guys who are faster and better than you. No more faking it in the B race.
These four guys won't be the last. There's plenty of U35 Cat 3's coming up who are pretty serious about bike racing, and vain enough to want you to know that they're good at riding a damn bike. So they'll come up as well.
I think this is a good thing. Sure, sometimes that means we have to race Pros. Sometimes we get lapped. But at least we aren't having a self-congratulatory group ride at the front of the B race, getting top 10s each week, and thinking about how we are the shit.
Instead, Tim Johnson shows up to point out that we are shit. Instead of racing for 1st, you're racing for 30th. But so what? It's still racing, as hard as you can, against guys you're competitive with. And that's the whole reason I started racing cross in the first place.
Corey, Kevin, Greg, and Brian: I'm glad you guys came to hang out. I will crush you now. Unless I don't.
A lot.
You know how many guys upgraded from Verge B to Verge A mid-season in the last two years combined? Zero. Remember the Dylan McNicholas/James Tosca domination from the last year? Remember John Peterson, Josh Lipka and the ebay auction? It used to be that whatever guy won in B's in Vermont stuck around and won the series, and everyone who was fighting for 2nd stayed locked into B's right along with him. Hell, I know I did.
But this year it's different. And I think I know why. And, sadly, it's the one Verge series change Myerson pushed for that I didn't agree with.
When they dropped Cat 2's from the B race, it was a subtly powerful statement about what that field should be -- fast(er) guys who aren't dead serious about bike racing. Secretly, a large portion of the B field was dead serious about racing bikes (for example, me) and while we raced the 2/3 field, we waved our Cat 2 status at anyone who'd listen. See, you can get to be a Cat 3 just participating in a lot of Cat 4 races, but to be a Cat 2, man, you gotta beat people. If you're a Cat 2, you're either wicked talented, or you spend a lot of your time worrying about bike racing.
My tongue is firmly in cheek, but still, this is one of things you might outwardly joke about but inwardly believe. You wanna see how much people value their Cat 2 label, look at how many Cat 2's downgraded to Cat 3 this year. (Zero)
So, it used to be that you could have the glory of a Cat 2 license AND the glory of racing at the front of a race (2/3 Men). It was the best of all worlds -- no wonder no one wanted to upgrade.
But that little number on your license means so much, for such silly reasons. Dominating a Cat 3 field just doesn't have the same appeal, because it means (1) you're a Cat 3 and (2) you're beating Cat 3s. And if you eat/sleep/drink/breathe bike racing (like many of us do), having that little number on your license annoys the shit outta you. Because dammit, you're good, not like the rest of the riff-raff, amirite?
So here we are. Now, if you want a license that says "I'm serious business" you gotta line up with a field of guys who are also pretty serious business, and race longer and harder against guys who are faster and better than you. No more faking it in the B race.
These four guys won't be the last. There's plenty of U35 Cat 3's coming up who are pretty serious about bike racing, and vain enough to want you to know that they're good at riding a damn bike. So they'll come up as well.
I think this is a good thing. Sure, sometimes that means we have to race Pros. Sometimes we get lapped. But at least we aren't having a self-congratulatory group ride at the front of the B race, getting top 10s each week, and thinking about how we are the shit.
Instead, Tim Johnson shows up to point out that we are shit. Instead of racing for 1st, you're racing for 30th. But so what? It's still racing, as hard as you can, against guys you're competitive with. And that's the whole reason I started racing cross in the first place.
Corey, Kevin, Greg, and Brian: I'm glad you guys came to hang out. I will crush you now. Unless I don't.
Comments
Have fun in Maine. There aren't going to be any PRO's there to lap you so you can be sure to get your full 65 minutes worth.
But the part of me that thinks I can automatically beat them is also the part of me that attempts to chase down TJ's attacks on the road.
Basically, that part of me is really delusional. It's probably just more people to beat me, or hang out in the back.
I was sooooo sad to realize that I can't beat cat 3's automatically.
hmmm...sounds like my season so far! Except without the thinking I am the shit part, but Mckittrick is the shit!
so may I also make the comment that this exact same thing needs to be done in the Masters 1/2/3 field...but not for the exact same reasons. Teh Master's field isn't a feeder system that's how it's different. BUT, I content that the Cat 1's shouldn't be allowed to race there simply because they're too good for that field. It limits the competitiveness of that field. I would be in favor of a Masters 2/3/4. As a bonus, if the 1's race the P/1/2 race then it makes that field better too...closes the gaps in the field for instance.
bt
Problem is the elite race is UCI sanctioned and thus they cant enter it without throwing away their international masters eligibility (think masters worlds). Obviously this only affects a tiny number of racers, but still, the fastest 35+ guys should have a field to race in that doesn't ruin their eligibility for international competition. Sad but true.
Outside of Verge, I absolutely think that A masters and A men should race together. You will see this field at Ice Weasels.
So, in effect, for the 15-20 elite-elite Master's that go to worlds it would affect them..but at what cost to the rest of the racers? How many Cat 2/3 Master's are affected by the fact that the same guys win every weekend? Gotta be a whole lot more I'm betting. Doesn't seem to make sense.
Ultimately I would think that the goal would be to make the best racers better. That means making the best racers all race against eachother. It makes your field more competitive and funner to watch (gee, imagine what would happen if all the racers actually stayed to watch your race) and it would make my race more competitive too.
BT
Ultimately I think it's important to have multiple "races that matter" on the Verge calendar. Right now 35+ A is the 2nd fastest men's race, and if you're 35+ it's "the fast race." Taking Cat 1's out the 35+ field reduces that race to "B" status in the same way that dropping Cat 2's from the B race did -- it reduces the intensity of the experience. I could be wrong, but I think the guys in 5th-25th of 35+ like that they are racing the against the best. If they moved up 5 places because Jonny and friends changed categories, I suspect they would feel cheated.
I could be wrong. It's an interesting discussion.
But for that matter, if you're a 1 then you should race against your peers, what's age got to do with it? Why is there even a Master's category?...oh yeah, so there are not 150 3's all racing the same field. Still, seems dumb to have a Master's field. If you're a 1 you're a 1. If you're a 3 you're a 3. Irrespective of age, have a 1 race against 1's of any age.
For that matter, why does Colin have to race with the P/1 guys? Seems like he should have his own race as a 2. If you ask me there is not that much of a difference between a Pro and a 1. There is a difference between a 1 and a 2.
If it was reported to officials it would have been dealt with, so I'm assuming no one cares enough to report it. So neither do I.