NCL Cup
Summary Rules

NCL Cup Rules

The NCL Cup Series is organized by the National Cycling League, Inc., under the regulations of USA Cycling, and according to the following special regulations specific to NCL races.

Teams

• 10 teams will be invited to compete in the 2023 NCL Cup Series.
• Each team must be made up of a men’s and women’s division. Teams that don’t have both men’s and women’s divisions may merge with another men’s/women’s team for the purpose of competing in the NCL Cup Series.
• All invited teams must commit to competing in all 4 NCL Cup events.
• All teams must have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 riders per gender.
• Each team may also have up to two 2 alternate or substitute riders per gender.

Scoring

A new, real-time scoring system will award points after each lap. This innovative and engaging format will facilitate nonstop action and visibility into the athletes' placement.

• Each race is 30 laps, with each lap being 1-2kms. There is a separate race for men and women. The Miami Beach race on April 8th will have 25 laps and points on the final lap will be awarded for lap 25.
• Points are awarded to the first 3 riders across the finish line on laps 1-29 as follows: 1st (3pts), 2nd (2pts), 3rd (1pt).
• Points are awarded to the first 3 riders across the finish line on lap 30 (the final lap) as follows: 1st (9pts), 2nd (6pts), 3rd (3pts).
• Riders can also score points by gaining a lap on the field (breakaway). If a rider or riders lap the field, then all members of the breakaway group will be awarded 9 points when they rejoin the field. NOTE: Once the breakaway rejoins the field, all riders are on the same lap and must compete for lap points.
• The winner of each men’s and women’s race is determined by the team that accumulates the most points among its riders during the race.
• The winner of each men’s and women’s event is determined by the team with the highest combined number of points between their divisions.

Substitutions

• (a) Each race in the NCL series will feature a Team Pit located course-side. Each team will be given space in the Team Pit and allowed to place substitute racers (maximum of 2 per race) in the Team Pit on standby.
• (b) Racers may enter the Team Pit under the following circumstances and under the following guidelines during the first 25 laps of the race (or until 5 to go if the race is not 30 laps due to a force majeure):
• (b.1) Racer has suffered a mishap that would traditionally warrant a free lap. In this situation the racer can enter the Team Pit and have a substitution sent out in their place the next time the field passes. If the racer suffering the mishap wishes to re-enter after receiving service, they can be substituted back into the race when a teammate exits.
• If the racer’s team has no substitute to send in, they may receive service from their team, but must then start immediately and chase back on.
• Race officials will be inspecting mishaps to verify they are legitimate.
• (b.2) Racer wants a substitution for reasons other than a recognized mishap (tired, injured). In this case, the racer pulling into the pit will trigger the timing mat that will give race officials the signal to release that racers substitution, on that same lap. The substitute racer will need to accelerate from a “one foot on the ground” start position with no assistance and merge into the field. It is the existing racers responsibility to communicate with their Team Pit to have a Substitution racer ready.
• (b.3) Racer wants a substitution for tactical reasons and will follow the same procedures as stated in rule 5.2b.2 above.
• (c) NCL mandates that teams must start a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 racers per race, per gender, in order to start. In addition, teams may have up to 2 substitutes per race. A team having only 4 racers and no substitutes must start those 4 racers and will therefore not be able to take advantage of the Team Pit for substitutions. A team having 6 racers and no substitutions, may start all 6 racers or choose to start only 5 and place 1 in the Team Pit for substitution purposes.

Event Prize / Purse

The total purse available to participating combined men's and women's teams competing in the NCL Cup Series is over $1 million. The NCL will award athletes competing in the series according to their results in each event, in the overall series, and based on their qualifying for competition bonuses at the end of the year. In an effort to advance the sport and make it easier for teams to join and travel, we created the following payout structure. We've focused on front-loading payments and giving a piece of the pie to all teams versus just the first place winner. In addition, we are offering direct support for participating teams to help with travel and accommodations.

Prize Purse for Individual 2023 NCL Cup Events

Each individual event in the 2023 NCL Cup (Miami Beach, Atlanta, Denver, D.C.) will have a $30,000 total event prize purse for participating teams that are not disqualified. It will be distributed amongst all the teams based on final standing in that individual event ranging from $1,250 to $7,500 per combined team.

NCL Cup Bonus

Following the conclusion of all 4 events in the 2023 NCL Cup, fully participating combined teams will be eligible to receive a bonus based on their standings. The total purse is $130,000 to be divided amongst the teams with the first place team getting $45,000.

NCL Triple Crown

If there are at least 8 fully participating teams at the conclusion of the NCL Cup series and a combined team (men's + women's) places first in 3 out of the 4 Cup events along with the men's and women's squad each placing first in at least one of their individual race, then that team will be deemed the NCL Triple Crown Winner and shall receive a $100,000 bonus.

NCL Quadruple Crown

If there are at least 8 fully participating teams at the conclusion of the NCL Cup series and a combined team (men's + women's) places first in 4 out of the 4 Cup events along with the men's and women's squad each placing first in at least one of their individual races, then that team will be deemed the NCL Quadruple Crown Winner and get a bonus payment of $700,000.