To the NCNCA Community –

We, the Board of Directors of the NCNCA, have heard your request for formal recommendations
regarding timing and length of Women’s P/1/2/3 crit races. We agree that the lack of women’s
participation in the NCNCA is concerning and warrants action, and does not match the trends of
growing numbers of women cyclists outside of the NCNCA road calendar.

As a district, and as a sport, we cannot expect women to show up to races when we do not
make space for them or value them as athletes. Women are not solely responsible for
increasing their own representation – the entire community must stand behind them. As evident
in local MTB and gravel events, which have prioritized women’s participation (through multiple
fields offered, parity in prize money, registration discounts, and media recognition) over the past
few years, women do show up and compete when given space and recognition.

Moving forward through 2022 and beyond, for race promoters who have not yet posted
schedules on BikeReg, the NCNCA has the following expectations for Women’s crit
races:

1. Women’s P/1/2/3 crit races are to have the same duration as the Men’s P/1/2/(3) crit
   races.
2. Women’s P/1/2/3 crit races are to be in an adjacent time slot to the Men’s P/1/2/(3)
   crit races (directly before, or directly after).
3. Payouts/prizes for women’s fields must be no less than those of the equivalent
   men’s fields, regardless of field size.
   
   To allow for women to race multiple times on crit days, along with ensuring Masters women
   have a place in criteriums, we recommend a 4/5 field, 3/Masters field, and a P/1/2/3 field. If
   promoters are unable to provide a 3rd field, a 3/4/5 and P/1/2/3 field are expected. In both
   scenarios, we suggest the women’s 3/4/5 or 3/Masters race to be around midday, to allow those
   Cat 3 racers the option of racing the P/1/2/3 in the afternoon.
   
   Promoters can reach out to Gabby Zacks (Women’s Series Coordinator) for scheduling
   questions.
   
   We will be holding a promoter’s meeting before the end of March to go over the above
   expectations. While it is our hope that promoters will agree with the benefit and equity of
   this request, any promoters unwilling to meet the above expectations will have all their
   races that day be ineligible for BAR/BAT points and removed from the NCNCA online
   calendar.
   
   Sincerely,
   
   NCNCA Board of Directors