Race Categories

Age Categories
Road Ability Level
Mtn Bike Ability Level
Cyclocross Category
Youth
(U13, U15, U17)
Cat 5
(Beginner)
Novice
(Beginner)
Cat 5 = D
(Beginner)
Junior 19
(M/F: Age 17-18)
Cat 4
(Intermediate)
Sport
(Intermediate)
(Youth + Senior)
Cat 4 = C
(Intermediate)
U23

(M/F: Age 19-22)

Cat 3
(Advanced)
Comp
(Manitoba Only)
Cat 3 = B
(Advanced)
Elite 23+
(M/F: Age 23-34)
Cat 2
Top-Level Athletes)
Expert
(Junior, Senior, or Master)
Cat 1 or 2 = A
(Pro)
Masters
(M/F: Age 35+)
Cat 1
(Pro)
Elite
(Highest competitive level
 
  • Notes:
    • Masters (age 35+) have the option of selecting age category “Elite” or “Masters”. The age category selected is the category that the individual will race for the entire season. 
    • “Comp”- Mountain Bike: This is a “Manitoba only” race category for racers who are more competitive than sport but not yet Expert.  This was created to balance the high number of participants in the Sport Category.  As “Comp”, is not a National category, select sport for your license ability category, but select Sport or Comp when you register for the race. If you are not sure of your ability category, start in Novice or Sport.  Due to participation numbers in Manitoba, those who select Novice (N), and Sport (S) will be grouped in the same category.

AGE CATEGORIES EXPLAINED

  • MTB, Road/Gravel: Your race category is based on your age at the end of the current year (December 31,2026). It is not your current age at the time of the race or registration. 
  • Cyclocross: Your race category is based on your age at the end of the following year (December 31, 2027). This is due to the cyclocross season in Manitoba being in the Fall vs. the spring in Europe. 
  • Youth Categories:
    • U13 = 12 years old and under
    • U15 = 13 & 14 years old 
    • U17 = 15 & 16 years old
  • Youth and Junior categories focus on development, safety, and learning. 
  • Distances and technical difficulty are scaled appropriately
  • U23 (Espoir) are riders aged 19 – 22. 
  • They may race within Elite fields or separate U23 categories. 
  • Development pathway to high-performance racing. 
  • Age-group categories. 
  • Ability can range from beginner to elite level.

ABILITY CATEGORIES EXPLAINED

ROAD ABILITY LEVEL

  • Racers with little or no racing experience. 
  • Athletes who are learning race rules, pack riding, or race tactics. 
  • Typically race lower speeds and shorter race distances. 
  • Racers developing skills and building confidence. 
  • Riders have some racing experience but are still relatively new to competition. 
  • Consistently demonstrates basic riding skills. 
  • Race at moderate speeds and distances. 
  • Beginning to understand the importance of tactics. 
  • Developing competitive skills and race craft. 
  • Learning
    • Safe pack riding
    • Drafting and positioning
    • Basic race tactics
    • Rules and race etiquette
  • Cat 4 is where you learn how to race
  • Riders have solid racing experience. 
  • Demonstrate competence and consistency. 
  • Strong pack riding skills. 
  • Comfortable riding safely at high speed in tight groups. 
  • Show tactical awareness:
    • Breakaways 
    • Conserving energy
    • Timing efforts
  • Racing is faster, smoother, and more tactical. 
  • Cat 3 is where you start racing smart.

Moving from Cat 3 to Cat 2 usually requires: 

  • Strong finishes in Cat 3 fields. 
  • Consistency across several races. 
  • Safe, predictable riding at speed
  • Ability to make decisions under pressure. 
  • Efficiency and durability in long, hard races. 
  • Top-level athletes competing at the highest domestic level. 
  • Typically race the longest and most demanding events. 
  • Advanced tactics, technical skills, and fitness. 
  • Often compete nationally or internationally. 
  • High-performance racing with strong results and proven consistency. 
  • Very fast racing with frequent, harder attacks. 
  • Excellent pack riding skills at high speed. 
  • Can respond to repeated surges. 
  • Strong race IQ and high fitness. 
  • Comfortable riding elbow-to-elbow for long periods. 
  • Cat 2 often races with Cat 1 or Elite. 
  • Most accomplished amateur racers with extensive experience. 
  • Consistently achieve top-level results. 
  • Capable of competing at provincial, national, or high-performance levels. 
  • Very high speeds from start to finish. 
  • Longest distances and most demanding courses. 
  • Relentless pace with repeated attacks and surges. 
  • Requires exceptional fitness and efficiency. 
  • Cat 1 is often the final step before professional racing. 
  • Focused on controlling the race and winning.

MOUNTAIN BIKE ABILITY LEVEL

  • For racers with little or no racing experience. 
  • Athletes who are learning race rules, pack riding, or race tactics. 
  • Typically race lower speeds and shorter race distances. 
  • Racers who are developing skills and building confidence. 
  • Some racing experience or strong recreational riding background. 
  • Comfortable riding off-road at speed. 
  • Still developing race-specific skills. 
  • Moderate to fast pace. 
  • Mid-length race distances. 
  • Courses include:
    • Single-track
    • Climbs and descents
    • Technical features (roots, rocks), often with ride-around options. 
  • Basic race tactics: pacing, passing, positioning. 
  • Can climb and descend efficiently.
  • Development-focused racing 
  • Sport is where riders learn to race well, not just ride hard. 
  • More competitive than developmental riders. 
  • Faster pace. 
  • Comfortable on more technical terrain. 
  • Race longer distances. 
  • Comp category is specific to Manitoba. 
  • Created to reduce the size of the Sport category.
  • Sport and Comp are separated by pace, skill, and distance. 
  • Riders with consistent top finishes in Sport are advanced to Comp. 
  • The highest non-elite category.
  • Highest level mountain bike racers with exceptional technical skill, fitness, and race intelligence. 
  • Extensive racing experience with proven results at Expert level. 
  • Compete at provincial, national, or international races. 
  • Elite is the top competitive category and high-performance pathway in MTB. 
  • Differences from Expert:
    • Higher baseline speed and intensity. 
    • More technical and physically demanding courses. 
    • “race-to-Win” focus; performance-driven. 
    • Results may count toward national rankings, selection, or UCI points. 

CYCLOCROSS CATEGORY

  • For racers with little or no racing experience. 
  • Athletes who are learning race rules, pack riding, or race tactics. 
  • Typically race lower speeds and shorter race distances. 
  • Racers who are developing skills and building confidence. 
  • For riders with some racing experience. 
  • Athletes who have demonstrated basic skills and consistency. 
  • Typically moderate race speeds and distances. 
  • Tactical racing begins to matter. 
  • Athlete is developing competitive skill and race craft.  
  • Riders have solid racing experience. 
  • Demonstrate competence and consistency. 
  • Race longer distances at a higher, sustained pace. 
  • Strong pack riding skills. 
  • Tactical awareness:
    • Breakaways
    • Conserving energy
    • Timing efforts
  • Ride safely at high speed in tight groups.
  • Faster, smoother, more tactical racing. 
  • Cat 3 is where you start racing smart. 
  • Top-level athletes competing at the highest domestic level. 
  • Typically race the longest and most demanding events. 
  • Advances tactics, technical skills, and fitness. 
  • Often compete nationally or internationally. 
  • High-performance competition with strong results and proven consistency. 
  • Racing is very fast with frequent, harder attacks. 
  • Excellent pack riding skills at high speed. 
  • Can respond to repeated surges. 
  • Strong race IQ and high fitness. 
  • Comfortable riding elbow-to-elbow for long periods. 
  • Cat 2 often races with Cat 1 or Elite. 

UPGRADING YOUR CATEGORY

Categories group riders by experience and ability to make racing safer, fairer, and more enjoyable. Riders start at the lowest ability category and can request a change as they gain experience and results. It’s best to submit upgrade requests at the start of the season so a new license can be issued before racing, but mid-season requests are also possible if approved and updated with the MCA office before competing in the new category.

SUBMIT YOUR UPGRADE REQUEST HERE

UNDERSTANDING UCI & NATIONAL CATEGORIES

  • Refers to events or athlete classifications governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body for cycling.
  • UCI categories apply to internationally sanctioned events and riders competing under global standards set by the sport’s world governing body.
  • The UCI Code is the international rule framework governing cycling competition, safety, equipment, and event standards worldwide.
  • Each UCI license holder has a unique UCI code.
  • Refers to events sanctioned by Cycling Canada. National category events are sanctioned by the national federation and contribute to domestic rankings and athlete development pathways. 
  • This is an age-based competitive classification for adult athletes starting at age 35.