USA Cycling changes things up.

We have known about this for a few months now. Seems as is they have just released all the details about the change.

For 2009 USA Cycling will be doing away with the current category breakdown and adopting a more "global" system. Beginner, Sport and Expert are to be replaced with Categories 1, 2 and 3.

The "Pro Class" will be absorbing most of the current semi-pro field as they will be given the chance to move up. I imagine that many semi-pros will be downgrading to category 1 in fear of being swallowed whole by the pros.

There are going to be many critics of the new system. what ever USA Cycling seems to do there are critics and naysayers, I am by no mean defending them but I think this will make for a cleaner system. The current system has labels that give a direct connotation to the skill level of the rider that is always true. This generalization of a skill level will give some more credibility to the sport.

Want to read the fine print, click here USA Cycling

Fontana NMBS "Down Under Domination"

Oh yeah, that's right we have a National Series. Kinda, sorta.
The Fontana NMBS kicked off this weekend and was the first stop for the NMBS series.
As you can imagine Kovarik won. He has been dialing in the Fontana terrain for a few months now and after wrapping up the overall win in the Fontana Series earlier this month he was a favorite for the NMBS win. Media was pretty sparse at the event with John Gibson shooting pics, MBA writing words and Dylan Dean covering both aspects for the rest of the world that still may show an interest.
Chris Kovarik taking the win on the new rig with a 2:19.6
Nathan Rennie placed 2nd with a 2:22.2, establishing two Aussies on the podium.

Justin Leov got third with a 2:24.6 Sam Blenkinsop (pictured above) pulled a fourth place with a 2:25.1 and Cam Cole secured fifth with a 2:25.3 That's three Kiwi's all in a row.

Duncan Riffle made his debut aboard his new C-Dale and UFO kit....paging David Smith...

Thanks to Kathy Sessler for her detailed and picture filled update, she is a god send.

Word on the street is that this will be the last year we see the NMBS in the current form. It may evolve into a race "series" that may be located at better venues, with better courses, better prizes and payouts and of course more altitude. Would'nt that be nice. Stop your griping change is on the way.