Race Day XC:
RULEBOOK
The official Race Day XC rulebook is applicable for all Race Day XC races.
RACE DAY XC
2026 RULE BOOK:
Membership
Athletes competing in more than one event per year are required to purchase a yearly Race Day Series membership. We offer a free one-day membership for racers participating in only one Race Day XC event per year. The one-day trial membership can only be reserved on-site at our events, and racers using it must also register for the actual event in person. Mou can save time and register for membership online at BikeReg by going to https://www.RaceDayXC.com/Membership
Race Fees
If you pre-register at BikeReg (https://www.RaceDayXC.com/Register) the race fee is $75 for all adults. Youth racers ages 12–18 are $50, youth racers ages 4–11 are $45, and push-bike races are free (thanks to our partner Jannetty Racing). All classes are $10 more if registered on-site at the event. Anyone interested in racing a second class may do so for free.
Riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at registration.
Transponders
Race Day XC uses Mototally Scoring Software RFID transponders. We will attach them to the back of your number plate at no additional cost. This number/transponder will be valid for the entire season, so please do not lose or cut it. Replacements cost $5.
Pro Purse
Each championship round will have a pro purse for Pro Men, Pro Women, and the overall winners of the Hutch Motorsports E-Bike Heat (Men and Women).
Pro Men / Pro Women (14 entries or fewer):
- 1st: $400
- 2nd: $270
- 3rd: $180
Pro Men / Pro Women (15 entries or more):
- 1st: $400
- 2nd: $270
- 3rd: $180
- 4th: $110
- 5th: $75
Hutch Motorsports E-Bike:
- Male Overall Winner: $200
- Female Overall Winner: $200
* An Expert rider is not eligible for the pro purse. The pro purse is determined from pro racers only. Expert riders altering the overall results will not be a factor.
Format
Track — Our closed-course XCO tracks will be 1–4 miles in length and will consist of various terrain, including trails, doubletrack, dirt roads, jumps, features, and other off-road terrain.
Cannondale Corridor — A small portion of the course (usually 20 seconds to 1 minute) that tests the rider’s ability in technical conditions such as rocks, logs, water, etc., and offers an exceptional experience for spectators.
The Cannondale Corridor section is optional for all classes. The easy way around it will strategically be a couple seconds slower.
Race Durations (Approximate)
- Pro Men and Women: 1.5 hours
- Expert Men and Women: 1.5 hours
- Sport Men and Women: 1 hour
- Novice Men and Women: 1 hour
- Youth 4–11: 30 minutes
- Youth 12–18: 1 hour
- Kids Push Bike: 3–10 minutes
- E-Bikes: 45–60 minutes
Standard Schedule of Events
Staging begins approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of every heat.
8 AM Heat 1 (30 Min Race)
- Boys 7-11
- Girls 7-11
- Boys 4-6
- Girls 4-6
8:45 AM Heat 2 (1 HR Race)
- Boys 15-18
- Sport Men
- Sport Men 40+
- Sport Men 50+
- Boys 12-14
- Novice Men
- Novice Men 40+
- Novice Men 50+
- Novice Men 70+ Open
10:00 AM Heat 3
(1 HR Race)
- Girls 15-18
- Sport Women
- Sport Women 45+
- Girls 12-14
- Novice Women
- Novice Women 45+
- Women 60+ Open
(1HR 30 Min Race)
- Pro Women
- Expert Women
- Expert Women 45+
11:45 PM - 12:15 PM
- Open Practice on XC Track
12:00 PM Heat 4 (-10 Minute Push Bike Race Presented by Jannetty Racing)
- Boys Push Bike
- Girls Push Bike
Push Bike Race on Separate Track*
12:30 PM Heat 5 (1HR 30 Min Race)
- Pro Men
- Expert Men
- Expert Men 40+
- Expert Men 50+
- Single Speed Men
- Men 60+ Open
2:30 PM The Hutch Motorsports E-Bike Heat (50 Min Race)
- E-Bike Men Unlimited
- E-Bike Women Unlimited
- E-Bike Open Men
- E-Bike Open Women
- E-Bike Masters Men 45+
- E-bike U19 Boys
- E-Bike U19 Girls
*Waves are separated by 1-minute intervals and can be delayed due to crashes or significant incidents.
All start times are tentative and can be changed at the discretion of Race Day XC.
Staging Procedure
Participants will line up in their assigned starting position in accordance with our official staging procedure. Fifteen minutes prior to each race, we will call up racers individually to line up in their official starting positions. Starting position will be determined by the championship point standings for all championship events except Round 1. Round 1 starting positions will be determined by the chronological order in which racers signed up.
The rider’s meeting will be on the starting line before the start of each race. All important track updates will be announced at the rider’s meeting. All participants are responsible for attending.
Starting Procedure
The start of each race and/or row will be signified by a whistle from the start official. The start official will give 1-minute, 30-second, and 10-second warnings prior to the start whistle. When the whistle is blown, only the front wave of riders will start to pedal and begin the race. This process will continue every minute until all remaining waves are gone.
Racers must start the race in the starting corral, using only their own power. Riders receiving assistance from other individuals or using structures for assistance are subject to a one-minute penalty.
Riders who accidentally or intentionally leave on a starting row ahead of their correct starting row will be disqualified.
Riders who accidentally leave on a starting row behind their correct starting row will not be disqualified, but their results will not be adjusted for the time lost.
Scoring
Scoring will be done with the transponder method, and each rider will have a transponder on their number plate. It is the rider’s responsibility to know his or her number at all times.
Results
Individual class results will be posted on paper in the general vicinity of the registration area. Riders have 30 minutes to file a protest at the registration trailer after the results have been posted.
Championship Point Standings
Points Breakdown:
- 1st: 25
- 2nd: 22
- 3rd: 20
- 4th: 18
- 5th: 16
- 6th: 15
- 7th: 14
- 8th: 13
- 9th: 12
- 10th: 11
- 11th: 10
- 12th: 9
- 13th: 8
- 14th: 7
- 15th: 6
- 16th: 5
- 17th: 4
- 18th: 3
- 19th: 2
- 20th: 1
All racers are allotted one throw-away race per championship season. The rider’s lowest finish—including DNS or DNF—is automatically dropped from the point standings at the end of the season.
Tie Breaker
In the event of a tie in championship points, the rider with more overall wins from the championship season will take precedence. If the riders also tie in the number of wins, the rider with more second-place finishes will win the tiebreaker. This pattern will continue until the tie is broken. If the riders also tie in overall wins and race finishes, the rider who scores more points in the final round will win the tiebreaker.
General
Mountain bike racing is a dangerous sport, and the decision to attend any pre-organized Race Day XC event is 100% voluntary. Under no circumstances shall any participant, spectator, vendor, or guest file any claim for reparation, financial loss, personal injury, or death against Race Day XC.
The race director reserves the right to penalize, disqualify, or make any necessary adjustments to existing rules due to special circumstances of the track, location, or other conditions.
Pre-Riding the Track
Racers may not pre-ride the Race Day XC course until the weekend of the event, after the venue is open to the public. If the Race Day XC track location is at a public venue, riders may pre-ride the trails that are included in the Race Day XC track prior to race weekend.
Racers pre-riding the track on race day must never interfere with a race in progress. Riders are recommended to pre-ride during designated practice times or when the course is mostly clear of racers. Pre-riders interfering with racers may be penalized.
Safety
Weather — Race Day XC reserves the right to conduct races regardless of weather conditions. Appropriate schedule changes can be made by Race Day XC to accommodate the track and event quality.
Helmets — All riders on a bicycle shall wear a protective, securely fastened helmet while at a Race Day XC event.
Protective Clothing — Protective clothing is mandatory and includes a jersey and shorts. Race Day XC reserves the right to inspect the entrant’s safety gear upon request.
Course Markings
- (X) markings signify danger or caution.
- Race arrows confirm the direction of the race course.
Riders must remain on the trail or within 10 feet of the trail at all times. However, a rider shall not leave the marked trail when ribbon, banners, or double arrows are used.
Yellow Flag — A yellow flag may be used to caution a rider to slow down on a blind obstacle such as a jump, drop, or other high-speed section.
Dangerous Riding
No participant may ride in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of other racers, officials, or the public. The race director has the right to penalize or disqualify for reckless operation of their bicycle, including but not limited to intentional contact with another racer or general reckless riding.
Feed/Pit Zone
A designated section of the course where riders may receive water bottles, nutrition, or other approved supplies from team support, volunteers, or neutral support. Assistance with feeding or mechanical repairs is strictly limited to this marked area. The start and end of the feed/pit zone will be marked with signage.
Mechanical Repairs and Feeding
Riders may perform self-repairs using only tools and parts carried while racing. Riders may perform self-repairs anywhere along the course, provided the work is conducted off the trail in a safe location that does not obstruct other competitors or create hazards. Riders may receive aid from other racers in the same heat.
Any repairs requiring external tools, replacement parts, or assistance from non-racers is only permitted within the designated pit/feed zone. Riders are permitted to push their bike to the feed/pit zone for repairs needing outside assistance.
Outside assistance with mechanical repairs and adjustments to the participant’s bike is only accepted in the designated pit/feed zone. Mechanical repairs made outside of the pit/feed zone will result in disqualification.
Switching Bikes
Riders may not switch bikes or bike frames during a race. This is defined as any time after the whistle is blown to officially start your class wave, until the race is concluded. Riders may change wheels, batteries, and any other components in the official pit/feed area. Racers are allowed to receive mechanical assistance in the official pit/feed area. Assistance outside of the official pit/feed zone is not allowed and will result in disqualification.
Rider Towing/Pushing
Pushing or towing an adult or youth rider is not allowed and can result in a penalty up to disqualification.
Class Requirements
Age Definition
All ages are based on racing age, which is defined as the year of the event (2026) minus the rider’s birth year.
For example, a rider born in 2000:
2026 – 2000 = racing age of 26.
Women’s and Girls’ Classes
Open only to riders with XX chromosomes.
Men’s and Boys’ Classes
Open to all riders not eligible for the Women’s and Girls’ classes.
Novice Definition
Riders new to organized mountain bike racing or racers that have not been promoted to Sport. Also open to racers that have competed in other forms of cycling events at the novice / Cat 4-5 level.
Sport Definition
Riders with organized mountain bike race experience. Includes any novice rider that has been promoted, or any Sport or Cat 2/3 rider in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Expert Definition
Riders with advanced-level experience at organized mountain bike races. Includes any Sport rider that has been promoted, or any Expert or Cat 1 rider in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Pro Definition
Riders with elite-level experience at organized mountain bike races. Includes any Expert rider that has been promoted, or any Expert / Cat 1 rider or Pro in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Drop Down Transfer Exception
Experienced racers that have never raced “off-road” cycling events may drop down as many as one category/skill division when transferring to Race Day XC. For example, a Cat 1/Expert road cyclist that has never raced “off-road” may start in the Race Day XC Sport division. This drop in category/skill division is not mandatory.
Novice Men/Women
Men/Women that are new to organized mountain bike racing or racers that have not been promoted to Sport. Also open to racers that have competed in other forms of cycling events at the novice / Cat 4-5 level.
Sport Men/Women
Men/Women with organized mountain bike race experience. Includes any novice rider that has been promoted, or any Sport or Cat 2/3 rider in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Expert Men/Women
Men/Women with advanced-level experience at organized mountain bike races. Includes any Sport rider that has been promoted, or any Expert or Cat 1 rider in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Pro Men/Women
Men/Women with elite-level experience at organized mountain bike races. Includes any Expert rider that has been promoted, or any Expert / Cat 1 rider or Pro in any other organized mountain bike series or established event.
Men’s Novice/Sport/Expert 40+
Novice/Sport/Expert men with a racing age of 40 or older.
Men’s Novice/Sport/Expert 50+
Novice/Sport/Expert men with a racing age of 50 or older.
Women’s Novice/Sport/Expert 45+
Novice/Sport/Expert women with a racing age of 45 or older.
Youth Classes
- Push Bike Boys/Girls: Boys/Girls of all skill levels competing on push bikes.
- Youth Boys/Girls 4-6: Boys/Girls of all skill levels with a racing age of 6 or younger.
- Youth Boys/Girls 7-11: Boys/Girls of all skill levels with a racing age of 11 or younger.
- Boys/Girls 12-14: Boys/Girls of all skill levels with a racing age of 14 or younger.
- Boys/Girls 15-18: Boys/Girls of all skill levels with a racing age of 18 or younger.
Single Speed Men Open
Open to single-speed competitors of all skill levels.
Men/Women 60+ Open
Men/Women of all skill levels with a racing age of 60 or older.
Men 70+ Open
Men of all skill levels with a racing age of 70 or older.
Hutch Motorsports E-MTB Classes:
E-MTB Unlimited Men/Women
Men/Women of all skill levels with E-MTBs capable of producing more than 750 watts and/or E-MTBs capable of pedal assist beyond 20 mph. Unlimited E-Bikes may not have a throttle and must have a fully operational pedal system, pedals, cranks, and chain.
E-MTB Open Men/Women
Men/Women of all skill levels with E-MTBs capable of no greater than 750 watts and E-MTBs not capable of pedal assist beyond 20 mph. Open E-Bikes may not have a throttle and must have a fully operational pedal system, pedals, cranks, and chain.
E-MTB Masters Men 45+
Men of all skill levels with a racing age of 45 or older. All participants must ride E-MTBs capable of no greater than 750 watts and not capable of pedal assist beyond 20 mph. These E-Bikes may not have a throttle and must have a fully operational pedal system, pedals, cranks, and chain.
E-MTB U19 Boys/Girls
Boys and Girls of all skill levels with a racing age of 18 or younger. All participants must ride E-MTBs capable of no greater than 750 watts and not capable of pedal assist beyond 20 mph. These E-Bikes may not have a throttle and must have a fully operational pedal system, pedals, cranks, and chain.
Promotional Point System
The Race Day XC promotional point system is designed to advance experienced racers as they progress in a timely manner. Promotional points are accumulated from year to year and do not expire until promoted. Promotional points are awarded per individual class for each championship event.
Promotional Point Formula:
- 5th place = 1 point
- 4th place = 2 points
- 3rd place = 3 points
- 2nd place = 4 points
- 1st place = 5 points
When a rider accumulates 20 promotional points, he or she will promote to the next level classification: Novice → Sport → Expert → Pro.
- Pro Men Class: The top 15 overall in the year-end championship from the Pro Heat (Heat 5) will earn a spot in the Race Day XC Pro Class for the following season.
- Pro Women Class: The top 10 overall in the year-end championship from the Pro Heat (Heat 3) will earn a spot in the Race Day XC Pro Class for the following season.
Freezing Points
Riders who are more than halfway through a series of 8 races may request a one-time waiver of mandatory upgrade with approval from Race Day XC. For 2026, the halfway point is defined as 4 championship events. For example, if a rider is promoted after the promotional points acquired from his or her 3rd championship event, they must promote to the higher class for the remainder of the season. If they are promoted after the 4th championship event or any event after that, they may choose to remain in the same class for the rest of the season and hold off on promoting until the following year.
Self Promotion
If you believe you belong in a higher-ranked class, you can submit a request to info@racedayxc.com.
To request an upgrade, follow these steps:
- Email info@RaceDayXC.com with “Upgrade Request” in the subject line.
- List the current category you are racing in and the category you wish to promote to, along with any supporting information, including race details and placings.
Self Demotion
If you believe you belong in a slower class, you can submit a request to demote through Race Day XC.
To request a demotion, follow these steps:
- Email info@RaceDayXC.com with “Demotion Request” in the subject line.
- List the current category you are racing in and the category you wish to demote to, along with any supporting information, including race details and placings.
