TYPICAL RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Saturday
- Middle School Racing
- High School Racing
- Racing schedule will be announced prior the racing weekend.
- Middle School racing will be on Saturday, some High School races will also be held on Saturday
WEATHER CONDITIONS
If the weather conditions dictate the delay or cancellation of a race, up-to-date information will be posted on the MCA webpage.
WHAT TO BRING ON RACE DAY
RIDERS
PARENTS / GUARDIANS / FAMILY MEMBERS / FRIENDS
- BIKE (duh)
- Helmet!!!!
- Jersey
- Biking Shoes and a hanging out comfy pair
- Number Plate for your bike w/ 3-4 zip-ties or twist ties so you can attach your number
- Number Plate for your body with 2-4 safety pins to attach to your back in a visible location
- Cycling gloves (recommended)
- Eyewear (recommended)
- Water Bottles
- Snack for the race if necessary
- Race your repair kit // Spare tube and tube change kit (C02/pump, tire levers) & Multi-tool, (including a chain tool recommended)
- Cash/Credit for Food Trucks
- Appropriate clothing for fall mornings/afternoons outdoors (hats, gloves, jackets, raingear) for riding and for hanging out
- Clean change of clothes for the ride home & Plastic garbage bag for muddy clothes
- Blanket/chair - something to sit on (remember the ground may be damp)
- A GREAT ATTITUDE AND EXCITEMENT
PARENTS / GUARDIANS / FAMILY MEMBERS / FRIENDS
- Appropriate Clothing for fall mornings/afternoons outdoors (hats, gloves, jackets, raingear)
- Good walking shoes
- Healthy beverages and snacks ( Lunch can usually be purchased on site)
- Sun protection - sun screen, sun glasses, sun hat
- Blanket/chair - something to sit on (remember the ground may be damp)
- Bring a bike! Must wear helmet! (Lots of places to ride at the venue, no one allowed on a bike unless wearing a helmet)
- A Pet on a leash
- Camera to take memorable pictures of your riders on the trail!
NUMBER PLATES
Number Plate/Race Plate/Rider Plate
- Number Plate/Race PlateA Number Plate is issued to each registered student-athlete.
- The number on the plate is in a number range that represents the Race Category of the rider.
- The same Number Plate is used for the entire season.
- The Number Plate should be attached to the front of the bike at the race venue.
- The Number Plate should be removed from the bike before transporting the bike to avoid damage to the plate and the timing chip. The chip may not work if bent.
- The Number Plate should be reattached to the bike at the next race event.
- The back of the Number Plate has a timing chip attached, which is read electronically by sensors at the finish line to record the finish time of each racer. It is important to safeguard the number plate so the chip isn't damaged. A damaged chip will not record the racer's finish.
- If you have reason to believe the Chip is not working or not recording finish times as expected, the Timing Staff near the Finish Line can test the chip on the back of the number plate if necessary to confirm the chip is working properly.
- A common problem is that if a rider is using a new plate, but has another plate in a backpack, the chip reads are problematic. Any old plate should be turned in at the Registration Trailer when a new plate is issued.
- At the beginning of the season the League Staff provides the coach with all the number plates for their team based on PITZONE registrations. The coach distributes the plates to the team members.
- The coach and racer should check the back of the plate to confirm that
- there is a timing chip attached
- the number plate is distributed to the correct racer
- the plate number is in the correct range for the rider's race category.
- Be sure to follow your team practices regarding safeguarding number plates. Some coaches collect number plates at the end of a race to safeguard them. It is important the coach redistributes the plates early enough for the riders to attach them to their bikes for Pre-Ride.
- A rider who completes registration later in the season may pick up their Number Plate at the Registration Trailer in the Race Infield during Registration Hours.
- When a rider loses or damages a Number Plate, they can request a replacement at the Registration Trailer during Registration Hours. There is a fee to cover the new plate and the timing chip.
- The process of adding the timing chip to the back of the plate takes a minimum of 30 minutes, so report the lost/damaged plate with plenty of time before the race starts..
- The rider may request a paper temporary plate to Pre-Ride at the Registration Trailer, but must pick up their replacement with timing chip before their race.
PRE-RIDE
Pre-Riding the race courses is allowed outside off the Racing Weekend (Friday - Sunday).
Riders, coaches, parents, friends are welcome to ride the courses outside of race weekends. Specific courses will be marked by MCA league officials with yellow arrows indicating the route.
We recommend all riders pre-ride the course before their race.
Riders, coaches, parents, friends are welcome to ride the courses outside of race weekends. Specific courses will be marked by MCA league officials with yellow arrows indicating the route.
We recommend all riders pre-ride the course before their race.
TEAM SPACE / HOME BASE
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At each race venue, there will be a location with CPOMG tents and bike racks for riders to prepare before racing and relax afterwards. All warm-up rides will begin from the tent location.
Some of the race venues are spread out, so be sure to look for the Champlin Park & Osseo tents to find us! |
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THE RACE COURSE
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The race course is marked with temporary fencing and safety barriers. Spectators are not allowed on the course, except at designated crossing areas. There are designated spectator areas for viewing of the race.
A Medical tent is established in the area to treat racer injuries. Ask a race official regarding its location.
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STAGING & WAVE STARTS
Staging is the lining up in a prescribed order of racers at the start line. Staging begins 10-15 minutes before the race starts. Staging volunteers will assist in grouping and sequencing racers using the call-up list, in a marked staging area near the start line. The group moves forward in order before the race starts. Occasionally, the racers waiting may be interviewed by the announcer.
At staging, instructions may be given to the racers about the condition of the course, the expectations of the starting line, etc.
Wave Starts
When the number of racers in a race category exceeds 50 racers, the category (ie JV2 Boys) is divided into equal wave starts. This ensures that no more than 50 racers start at the same time. Waves are usually started at 1 minute intervals. The chip time based off of the horn start of the wave will determine the finish placement, not the person who crosses the line first.
Each racer needs to know what wave they are racing in when they report to Staging, which is staged by Waves. Racing in the correct wave is required to log a correct time when a racer crosses the finish line.
The Race is started by the sound of a horn.
At staging, instructions may be given to the racers about the condition of the course, the expectations of the starting line, etc.
Wave Starts
When the number of racers in a race category exceeds 50 racers, the category (ie JV2 Boys) is divided into equal wave starts. This ensures that no more than 50 racers start at the same time. Waves are usually started at 1 minute intervals. The chip time based off of the horn start of the wave will determine the finish placement, not the person who crosses the line first.
Each racer needs to know what wave they are racing in when they report to Staging, which is staged by Waves. Racing in the correct wave is required to log a correct time when a racer crosses the finish line.
The Race is started by the sound of a horn.
CALLUP LIST
The CALLUP list shows the order of all riders for a given race category and race date.
The CALLUP list will change for the each following race, based on the overall performance of the rider as the race season progresses.
The assures the faster riders in the category go off at the beginning of the wave. Slower riders can move up as they acquire the skills and endurance needed for a faster race.
The callup list is published to the Coaches on Thursday's before the race weekend. Each racer needs to know what wave they are racing in when they can report to Staging, which is staged by Waves. Racing in the correct wave is required to log a correct time when the racer crosses the finish line.
The CALLUP list will change for the each following race, based on the overall performance of the rider as the race season progresses.
The assures the faster riders in the category go off at the beginning of the wave. Slower riders can move up as they acquire the skills and endurance needed for a faster race.
The callup list is published to the Coaches on Thursday's before the race weekend. Each racer needs to know what wave they are racing in when they can report to Staging, which is staged by Waves. Racing in the correct wave is required to log a correct time when the racer crosses the finish line.
- As the Callup List is created, Bye weeks are taken into account, so a racer from a team in their bye-week will not be included in the Callup.
- Racers with no race finishes for the season will not be included in the Callup List.
- On site walk up registrants who are assigned a new number plate at a race will race at the back of the last wave as they were not identified as racing in time to be included for that race.
RACE RESULTS
Preliminary Results: Printed Preliminary Results for a race category are posted approximately 30 minutes after a race finish on a stand near the Registration Trailer. The announcer makes an announcement when the results are posted.
The posting of printed results begins a PROTEST PERIOD of 30 minutes.
A coach who has reason to protest the results, makes a formal protest to the Referee with justification for their challenge. The Referee can be found in the Timing/Scoring Area of the Infield at the race.
The Referee will decide whether the protest has merit. If the protest has merit, the results will be updated.
At the end of the Protest Period, an announcement is made over the loudspeakers.
Protests will not be considered after the 30 minute Protest Period.
Final Results
The posting of printed results begins a PROTEST PERIOD of 30 minutes.
A coach who has reason to protest the results, makes a formal protest to the Referee with justification for their challenge. The Referee can be found in the Timing/Scoring Area of the Infield at the race.
The Referee will decide whether the protest has merit. If the protest has merit, the results will be updated.
At the end of the Protest Period, an announcement is made over the loudspeakers.
Protests will not be considered after the 30 minute Protest Period.
Final Results
- Final Individual Timing Results are the basis for awarding Individual Ribbons at the Awards Ceremony ending the race day.
- When the Individual Results are finalized and scored, the Team Results are calculated. Final Team Results are the basis for making Team Trophy awards at the Awards ending the race day.
- Final Results will be posted to the MN League Website. This usually occurs on the Tuesday evening following the race.
- Preliminary Timing results are available on the web as racers finish the course. The timing system expects the rider to be in their assigned wave and calculates accordingly.
- Remember that these are Preliminary timing results only. Penalties, Protests, and scoring rules will not be reflected.
- Real-time results posted online depend on uploading of data to the internet, so wave starts and certain venues present challenges. Often the results posted immediately will change once all racers finish the course, and the upload of the result data is completed.
- Download the app ‘ITS YOUR RACE’ to your phone, then find ‘Minnesota MTB'. Select a race category. More details are available on http://www.itsyourrace.com
AWARDS CEREMONY
There are no formal award ceremonies. However, MCA sets up a podium backdrop and steps at races for photo opportunities and impromptu team gatherings.
SCORING
Teams are awarded points after every League race which count toward the teams’ standings at that individual race and for the overall series. Both girls and boys points count toward that team’s overall score. However, teams need not have boys’ and girls’ points to score for a race. Due to the difference in team size between divisions, Division I teams and Division II teams are scored differently.
SCORING PENALTY
Individual Scoring and Team Scoring Points reflect finisher order. However the scores are affected by penalties incurred during the race. Penalties may include rule, course and conduct infractions by participants, coaches, or parents. Consult the rule book for details.
For more information about Team and Individual Scoring, and Rules governing teams please refer to the NICA-Rulebook-01-NICA-MN
SCORING PENALTY
Individual Scoring and Team Scoring Points reflect finisher order. However the scores are affected by penalties incurred during the race. Penalties may include rule, course and conduct infractions by participants, coaches, or parents. Consult the rule book for details.
For more information about Team and Individual Scoring, and Rules governing teams please refer to the NICA-Rulebook-01-NICA-MN
TEAM
TEAM SCORING Teams are calculated a score at each race. The sum of these scores will determine the season champion for Division 1 (D1) and Division 2 (D2). Middle school teams are scored used the D2 scoring model. All student athletes assigned to a team will be eligible to score points for the team at a race.
TEAM SEASON TOTALS
The sum of a team’s totals are used to calculate the season total. Division 1 and Division 2 are scored in separate groups. There are no bonus points or dropped races. |
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL SCORING Athletes are assigned an individual point total based off their finishing placement in each race. The point matrix can be found in the appendix of this document. A 500 down matrix is used for middle school, freshman and sophomore classes. A 540 down matrix is used for JV. A 575 down matrix is used for varsity. A unique scoring matrix is used for the state championship race. INDIVIDUAL SEASON TOTALS
Athletes will have the sum of their races added together, with the lowest race dropped to determine the season champion. If an athlete completes all five races, they will be awarded 25 bonus points. Bonus points are not added into the team score. |
RIDER & SPECTATOR SAFETY
Watching and enjoying Minnesota High School League events
Our race courses are Middle and High school fields of play. Just as in football, baseball, lacrosse or any other school sport, spectators cannot be on the field of play while athletes are warming up or competing.
The volunteer marshals in orange vests are on course to ensure safety and are tasked to ask spectators to stay off the course. Many have shared their frustration regarding spectators refusing to cooperate at Past Races. We unfortunately have had incidences of racer/spectator collisions. This puts all involved at significant risk of injury, so we need your help!
Only registered racers with properly affixed number plates, course officials and coaches during designated pre-rides, are allowed on the course over the race weekend. No exception can be allowed per our agreement with NICA insurance. The times that spectator must stay off the course include all day Saturday and all day Sunday. With our new race day schedule, racers are on course virtually nonstop.
A quick overview of the rules regarding course access include:
Repeated issues can result in team penalties and no one wants to go that route
Our race courses are Middle and High school fields of play. Just as in football, baseball, lacrosse or any other school sport, spectators cannot be on the field of play while athletes are warming up or competing.
The volunteer marshals in orange vests are on course to ensure safety and are tasked to ask spectators to stay off the course. Many have shared their frustration regarding spectators refusing to cooperate at Past Races. We unfortunately have had incidences of racer/spectator collisions. This puts all involved at significant risk of injury, so we need your help!
Only registered racers with properly affixed number plates, course officials and coaches during designated pre-rides, are allowed on the course over the race weekend. No exception can be allowed per our agreement with NICA insurance. The times that spectator must stay off the course include all day Saturday and all day Sunday. With our new race day schedule, racers are on course virtually nonstop.
A quick overview of the rules regarding course access include:
- The course is taped in many areas. In non-taped areas, the course includes the single track plus 3 feet on both sides.
- You can cross the course where there is an opening in the tape and when permission is given by the volunteer crossing marshal. Going under the tape is not allowed at any time on Saturday or Sunday!
- Please do not walk, run or ride on course. Follow side paths or off course trails to gain access to viewing areas. Some remote areas of the course simply may not be accessible to spectators.
- When in remote areas, cross the course only prior to and upon completion of each race. It’s a silent sport and often racers and spectators lose track of each other (thanks buckthorn!) in the heat of the race. We have had several close calls.
Repeated issues can result in team penalties and no one wants to go that route
