Grading

The grade you ride affects not just your enjoyment of a race, but all those around you. Race in a grade that's too fast, and you'll be dropped early - and have a pretty lonely experience. Race in a grade that's too slow and it will not be enjoyable, you won’t improve and you will most likely cause resentment from other riders.

Our club handicapper does their best to provide accurate grading for all riders however; they will not know everyone, nor what form they are in so we do rely on your honesty and sportsmanship / sportswomenship to enter yourself in the correct grade. If you are constantly winning or placing in a grade it is probably time to move up. Remember if you move up and it is too difficult you can always go back a grade. If riders are seen to be riding in an inappropriate grade the club handicapper Melanie Reiter or a Commissarie will ask you to switch grades and your official Club and Cycling NSW grading can be changed.

Club Grading Guidelines

	Average Race Speed	Final Sprint Speed	SOP Training Guidelines
A Grade	Over 40 km/h	60km/h +	If you are riding group 1 at SOP training, then this is you
B Grade	38 to 40km/h	55km/h	If you can hang on to group 2 at SOP training
C Grade	36 to 38km/h	50km/h	Group 3/4 at SOP training is a good guide
D Grade	33 to 36 km/h	45 to 50km/h	Group 4/5 at SOP training will stand you in good stead for this grade.
E Grade	up to 33km/h	44 to 45km/h	Group 5/6 at SOP

Road and Track

We do not differentiated between road and track and you will usually be graded the same across both. However, when first starting track you will probably race down a grade until you feel comfortable with track riding.

Open events

Open events have a slightly different grading system to club events. You are often graded as Elite or Masters categories OR you could be graded A, B, C, D, E. If you are planning to race open events for the first time find out what the people you are training with or have similar abilities are riding. It is best to start down a grade in open events until you get a feel for where you should be racing. Alternatively you can speak to Melanie Reiter or other Club Officials for their recommendation. The club handicapper will provide a grading to Cycling NSW for each club member, if you wish to discuss this grading or make amendment to the grading please speak with the club handicapper as this grade will determine the grade you race in open events. If you have any questions on grading please contact our club handicapper - Melanie Reiter.