National Road Series set for transformation
Cycling Australia is proud to unveil plans for an extensive transformation of the National Road Series for the 2018 season and beyond following collaborative discussions between all stakeholders including event organisers, teams and sponsors.
From 2018, the NRS will transition to an innovative new schedule, shift the format and location of events, introduce exciting performance incentives and pathway opportunities, in addition to undergoing a development in the overall management and officiating of the Series.
The NRS will now begin in August and will be showcased across three sections – tours, criteriums and classics – strategically aligned around existing Australian based events to ensure the most appealing racing opportunities.
A traditional tour season will be contested between August and November, providing an attractive racing platform leading into the FedUni Road National Championships in January.
An exciting new summer-based National Criterium Series will begin in November, while a new Classics season will be aligned with the Oceania Championships and raced over a four-six week period in autumn.
“We are very excited to be announcing these changes which are the result of lengthy discussion and planning with event promoters, teams and management who share our future vision,” said Cycling Australia CEO Nick Green OAM.
“The new format will provide the NRS with an engaging and consistent structure, importantly it will find a home on the cycling calendar which has been sorely lacking for a number of seasons.
“We feel this will provide clarity to the teams, riders, event organisers, sponsors, and also to the fans, media and other key stakeholders.
“We look forward to delivering a superior and engaging racing Series.”
Over the coming years, an evolution in event formats will see tours transition to shorter courses held closer to major population centres in order to maximise the appeal from spectators and local communities.
Also, to ensure the consistent delivery of events, Cycling Australia will lead a training program to ensure the highest level of officiating across the Series, in addition to providing support and guidance to race organisers and team managers.
New incentives for performance will be introduced which will see top riders and teams receive invitations into Australia’s top UCI events including the Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Cycling Australia will also continue recent initiatives which support the teams’ search for further racing opportunities outside of the NRS.
“We are working hard to drive consistency through event support and training, and we will continue to work with event organisers to ensure they can meet the new standards for the Series,” said Green.
“And we will continue to seek competitive opportunities for our developing NRS riders to assist with their progression to the next level of racing.”
The 2018 schedule will be announced in the new year.
SUMMARY
SERIES FORMAT
- National Road Series: A “tours” season to run August – November leading into the FedUni 2018 Road National Championships
- National Criterium Series: to run the November – February
- Classics: Australian one-day season to run over a four-six week period from April to May
PATHWAY
Performance incentives – effective immediately for the 2018 Summer of Cycling events:
- Top 4 Men’s and Women’s teams receiving automatic invites to UCI .1 and .2 events
- Top 5 Australian Men’s Riders will be selected from the top NRS team to the Tour Down Under
- Top 5 Australian Men’s Riders will be selected from the top NRS team to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
TOUR FORMAT
Over the next few years the format of racing will change to:
- Shorter road race courses (road races on 10 or 15km circuits)
- Closer to major population centres or tourist attractions in order to maximise number of spectators
PEOPLE
To ensure a consistent delivery of officiating the CA Technical Commission will be responsible for the appointment of all officials to events. This will come from a pool of 10 officials nationally who will be trained alongside the team directors.