USA Cycling offers licenses, training for race directors beginning in 2012

A new program from USA Cycling will offer certification, licensing and continuing education programs to race directors.

Race directors have been limited to using club affiliation to sanction events through USA Cycling. Beginning in 2012, they will have the option of taking out a race director’s license for the same cost as a club license and permit events without the need for club affiliation.

Clubs will still be able to put on events as they have in the past. Groups organizing a bike race in 2012 do not need a race director’s license in addition to a club license — just one or the other.

“The race director certification program is important because it provides new and veteran race directors with a source of information dedicated to bike racing events and a platform to share best practices to help raise the overall quality of their event,” said Tara McCarthy, USA Cycling’s race director certification manager.

The program will roll out over a two-year period beginning in 2012.

The new race director’s license will be available immediately. Subsequently a race directors association will be formalized and Level C curriculum will be offered for online race director certification. Level B and national/international-level curriculum will be offered by the end of the year.

Beginning in 2013, race director certification classes will be held in various locations around the United States. As the program grows certification Level B will be required for top-tier calendar race directors. Continuing Education Units will be required for race directors to maintain certification.

Licensed race directors will also be able to run for and vote for race director positions on USA Cycling Sport Committees.

For more information, contact USA Cycling.