Faster. Grittier. Not European.
Those were the descriptors Paris Wallace, CEO of the National Cycling League, used in the build-up to the League’s inaugural race on Saturday, April 8.
Wallace and his cohort of all-star investors (opens in new tab) aim to reignite cycling fandom in the United States by reinventing what American bike racing looks like.
The NCL Cup is a four-race, invite-only, co-ed bike racing series that takes place in the heart of America’s biggest cities, puts fans first (opens in new tab)and throws around a lot (opens in new tab) of money. The races themselves feature a unique format and set of rules intended to make bike racing more exciting.
“We are not European cycling. We are creating something new, something different, making bike racing more accessible, faster, more exciting,” says Wallace. “You have an entire bike race every single lap. And you have all the drama that typically unfolds over hours in three minutes. And then you have it again and again and again.”
In case you missed the action on Saturday, the format looks like this:
A Fount Cycling and Denver Disruptors rider battle it out in the qualifier.
(Image credit: Gabriel Diaz)
The NCL Format
- There are 10 teams made up of an equal number of male and female riders. These 10 teams will compete in all 4 events.
- On the evening before the race, the teams participate in a short qualifier to determine the starting order for the next day. In Miami, this came in the form of a one-lap virtual race on RGT.
- Race days consist of a 60-lap road criterium in which team points are scored each and every lap. It’s a team sport; there is no individual rider who wins.
- Points are scored three deep each lap with; 3 points for first place, 2 points for second and one point for third place.
- The final time to the line is only slightly more valuable with 9 points for the lap winner, 6 points for second place and 3 points for third.
- A co-ed team competition, the first 30 laps are contested by the teams’ female riders. The second 30 laps make up the men’s race.
- While the men’s and women’s field race separately, the points are aggregated. The team’s points are a combination of both the men’s and women’s races and the team with the most points at the end of the evening wins the bike race.
- Also unique to the NCL race format is the fact that teams can substitute riders throughout the race up until the final five laps. In the pit, riders can sit out a lap or two and recover before rejoining the…