So you've tried racing and are now looking to purchase an annual license but have questions on what category you should be racing in?

For Road and Cyclocross and Track disciplines you will start in the entry level or Novice categories on your annual RACE Membership (sometimes referred to as Category 5). This is where everyone begins, even the more notable racers now all started here. You can then start accumulating racing experiences and upgrade points as you work towards advancing to the next level, Category 4.

For Cross Country Mountain Biking you will start in the Novice category on your annual RACE Membership (sometimes referred to as Category 3). From here you can then start accumulating racing experiences and work towards a Category upgrade to Cat 2 (or sometimes called the Sport class).

For Gravity disciplines (downhill, Enduro, DS) you will start in the Novice categories on your annual RACE Membership (sometimes referred to as Category 3). From here you can then start accumulating racing experiences and work towards a Category upgrade to Category 2 (or sometimes called the Sport class).

Additional resources:

An overview of USA Cycling racing categories

How to submit a category upgrade request