Monday, February 24, 2020

Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross





Sorry The Way Were will not be scene today..
instead we thought you all would like to be updated on the Alma Cx race 


We're making a few modifications to the race day schedule this year! 

There are still PLENTY of options to double-up on race day, and these changes will help keep things moving along, encourage larger fields on course, 
allow for more practice laps, and overall help to streamline the day. 

We are still offering 17 total race categories, 

but the day schedule is changing.




PLEASE..
help us understand whats going on did we miss something?
WHY will the Cat 3/4/5 men race the same length as in time as 

the Pro 1/2/3/4/5?


This seems really confusing..
Please explain..

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What I see happening is Experts that used to race Elite and Expert will now have to race Masters or buy a SS and race that. Cat 4s that raced SS or Expert will have to go back to back with Expert and Elite, becoming obstacles for the Elite racers. Masters will begin to fill up with people of varying abilities that would double up in other categories. I get that our numbers in MI are low, but this schedule is really confusing.

Anonymous said...

Ty
Very well put! Much luv

Anoynmous said...

For elite/expert if everyone is racing together why not just run separate podiums for each category but share the purse? You'd have more podiums and the same payout and more podiums give something closer to that gravel vibe plus it's more podium pics shared on the socials. Clean it up by posting masters/juniors without the cat's, just age ranges and it would at least look cleaner.

Anonymous said...

i like that the masters are all together for change, always thought the 1 hr 35 plus was dumb.

but why drop the elites to 50m??

Anonymous said...

"For elite/expert if everyone is racing together why not just run separate podiums for each category but share the purse? You'd have more podiums and the same payout and more podiums give something closer to that gravel vibe plus it's more podium pics shared on the socials. Clean it up by posting masters/juniors without the cat's, just age ranges and it would at least look cleaner."

No, just no. Cyclocross isn't gravel where a slower rider is inconsequential after the first climb. If it was the total field (Cats 1-5), they'd have to eventually pull riders off the course for safety reasons.

Anonymous said...

Like

Anonymous said...

The schedule doesnt need to be aesthetic, it needs to suit its constituents.(kinda like politicians)
1) Cater to the masters fields, they pay the bills, and more often then not the reg for their own juniors.
2) It's a participant sport at the local level. Elites dont need an hour to see whos the bestest, Hell most world cups are decided 30 min in when MVDP decides its time to go.
3) Much like the new USAC road upgrade system, category placement should incentivize the quickest placement and allocation for riders to get to their best suited category, IE no more sand bagging.
4) on that point, a 1/2/3 and a 4/5 race seems more than plenty doubling up races is fun, but not at the expense of most peoples first or only planned race experience. No sand bagging the 4/5s and lapping everyone out for your warmup for the 345's when you ought to be a 3. nobody is impressed.
5)A 50 min 1/2/3 race with the only cash purse ( if at all) means if you wanna win $$, race up, stop tormenting the 4's who are in the race they should be.
6)SS is most peoples 2nd race, never gonna be a perfect place to put it to make it "easy" but its single speed. if you want it easy, pick a lighter gear...

After all this, I dont know the reg spread. We're all on the same team when it comes to the health and enjoyment of the local scene, good for the goose good for the gander and all that. adapt or die, or both, just cant do niether.

Anonymous said...

Seems like just another sideways step for USAC cross in Michigan, If 1 hr is too long for the local Cat pros, why not just make 45 minutes why create another race time. I guess in the scope of things a 50 minute race is not got going to play much difference in the grooming of our up and coming riders, since no one travels outside of there zip code anymore.

The KissCross remains the most true to its original intentions I suppose that’s probably the right thing for the right people. Not slamming the GP but seems like a big to do of sorts for one day. Because unless every race promoter can follow suite it’s just another dent in the cross wagon.

Anonymous said...

I agree with many of the comments here, but the thing that confuses me as why when something gets broken do people not go back the original and see how it worked.
The Tailwind schedule seemed to work fine until lack of money and time put a stop to it.

why not just go and re-purpose a successful layout?

Anonymous said...

12:17 AM

you would make a great politician, if you are not one already

Anonymous said...

"Hell most world cups are decided 30 min in when MVDP decides its time to go"


The most ridiculous comparison ever!

Henrietta Collins said...

Gravel vibe??? This ain't no Slick Rick Bend Over Here It Comes Again Barry Roubaix! A 'Cross race is a samurai fight and I am coming to chop your head off. And if you're doubling up at a 'cross race, you're doing it wrong. Your only race should have you puking and wondering how you're going to get home without having to call an Uber. If you don't feel that way, move up a category where someone will be waiting to punch you in the face. Alma was recently the premier event in Michigan 'cross. Now it feels like a schizophrenic bi-polar hot mess. I'm beyond confused...

Anonymous said...

Agree, Without banter

The promoter sold out.
He did what he to do to survive in this day and age of social media look at me,
like and share me..
whether its good or bad.

Thats the truth, and if your one of the few that may remember the old ways, consider yourself a dinosaur. Its not a bad thing.