USA Cycling, ACA renew reciprocity agreement
- By VeloNews.com
- Published Jun. 23, 2009
- Updated Jun. 24, 2009 at 5:16 AM UTC
USA Cycling and the Colorado-based American Cycling Association (ACA) have renewed a reciprocity agreement that allows riders to compete in races sanctioned by both organizations.
The agreement restores the provisions of an earlier cooperative arrangement that expired at the end of 2008.
“The agreement aims to provide the best cycling experience for the riders in both organizations by honoring equivalent ability categories within each organization,” USA Cycling noted in a press release issued on Tuesday.
The new agreement expires at the end of the year, but includes a commitment to renew the deal and to coordinate schedules for the upcoming 2010 season.
Both organizations had been working under the terms of a reciprocity agreement originally signed in 2006. The new document contains most of the provisions of the old agreement, but also includes a plan for representatives of both to meet this fall in order to “discuss a coordinated race schedule to avoid race date conflicts.”
Furthermore, both organizations have agreed to recognize the sponsored clubs of the other, which will allow riders to compete in their club/team jerseys in either USA Cycling or ACA events.
The deal, citing “insurance and liability concerns” also bans dual-sanctioned events, a practice that has increased in recent years. The reciprocity agreement, however, appears to make the practice unnecessary.
“It is our hope that through this program we will continue to make a positive difference in the racing experiences of all riders,” USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson was quoted as saying in the release. “USA Cycling intends to work with associations and promoters to grow and strengthen the entire sport of cycling locally, regionally and throughout the entire country.”
The deal also calls on each organization to automatically recognize the rider categories of the other in races involving category licenses and lower.
“For pro and Cat. 1 riders, the licenses will be reviewed individually,” said USA Cycling spokesman Andrea Smith.
“The ACA Board of Directors is very enthusiastic about this document,” said Jon Tarkington, ACA Executive Director. “They worked hard with USA Cycling Staff and were impressed with their commitment to thorough, honest communication. The agreement serves as a small first step towards a unified racing community in the Rocky Mountain region. I hope all cyclists affected by this agreement will appreciate the benefits of this effort.”