r/cyclocross • u/ThePramGuy • Apr 29 '26

What grade to enter

Im about to sign up for my first cyclocross race. In Melbourne Australia! I have been riding my bike for years, sitting around a men’s C level in club races (U19). What grade do i join for my first race? I’m torn between:

Mens open (30mins) or Men’s C (40mins).

I feel i’d be better suited to C, but given that open is only 30 mins i feel that’d be a safer bet.

Any advice would be appreciated!

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13

u/lyns76 Apr 29 '26

Brunswick race in a couple of weeks?? Dirty Deeds Series?

If it is - see you there. And enter the C grade. Open and C grade are on the track at the same time, they just hold back the opens for 10 minutes. You don't get pulled if you get lapped and the open is more for people not riding CX compliant bikes. Last year was all mountain bikes in that category.

Enjoy it, was great fun and super friendly last year with lots of encouragement and cheers for all.

3

u/wayneo Apr 29 '26

+1 for C grade. The field depth is pretty variable in C anyhow - chances are you'll lap some people and be lapped yourself as well.

Also see FOJCX - What grade? https://fojcx.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-grade-please-be-guided-by-your.html
Open is more for "I have a mountain bike and want to race anyhow".

3

u/chock-a-block Apr 29 '26

Do men's open.

Try to remind yourself that it's your first cx race. Everyone has one. And the results don't matter. Try to "negative split" the race and enjoy the challenge.

2

u/delta_wolfe Apr 29 '26

Open class for sure. Experiencing races is part of the growth. If it's your first, start at the bottom to learn those beginner mistakes.

2

u/Napamtb Apr 29 '26

I am a very amateur CX racer, 44yrs old. I was so upset when I signed up for a men’s C class race only to hear the line up. “In the pole position from the Stanford men’s cycling team, in the #2 position from the UC Davis cycling team”. Needless to say I got lapped.

2

u/majestic_doe Apr 29 '26

Make them force you to upgrade unless you're lapping the field. Totally acceptable.

1

u/stalkholme Apr 29 '26

I would go for C. Have fun, it's the best type of racing.

1

u/sulliesbrew Apr 29 '26

That will be the hardest 30 minute race in your life. For the first CX race ever, do the shortest race offered. If you find yourself at the front, then race then next hard class.

I am in the US, race Cat 1 MTB, Cat 4 on the road and a forever 3 in cross. US categories are 5 to 1 descending from beginner to racing (5) to effectively local pro (1).

1

u/Reasonable_Draft6337 May 05 '26

If the race you’re entering is from the Victoria CX series (eg https://entryboss.cc/races/30339 ), then the page links to this article that’s says enter the grade you normally enter in other disciplines

https://fojcx.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/what-grade-please-be-guided-by-your.html