Rules & Policies
Everything riders need to know before race day — series scoring, refunds, and Championship Jersey eligibility.
Adult Series Rules
Regulating Body
All races in this series are USA Cycling Regulated (USAC rulebook), so USAC will be strictly followed.
Series Number Plate
You will be given a number plate with a chip on the back of it at your first race. If you lose or forget your plate you will be charged $10 for a replacement. Don't lose your number plate — we will be enforcing this rule on everyone this season.
Series Prizes
We have 11 races this year. The first 10 races make up the regular season and count toward the overall series standings, with your best 9 of 10 counted (1 drop). The 11th race is a standalone championship race, run independently of the series — except for callups — and will award its own separate prizes. You must compete in at least 5 races to be eligible for series prizes and have an annual USA Cycling license.
Series Points
The series points will be, starting from first to the very last position: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, etc.
Pro Payout
Expert/Pro category payouts scale with the number of Expert riders registered for that race. See the full payout scale below, or download the printable PDF.
Race Payout Scale ($50 Entry Fee)
| Riders | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $50 | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | $50 | $20 | — | — | — |
| 3 | $50 | $35 | $20 | — | — |
| 4 | $60 | $40 | $25 | $15 | — |
| 5 | $60 | $45 | $30 | $20 | $20 |
| 6 | $75 | $50 | $40 | $25 | $20 |
| 7 | $85 | $60 | $45 | $30 | $25 |
| 8 | $95 | $70 | $50 | $35 | $30 |
| 9 | $110 | $80 | $55 | $40 | $30 |
| 10 | $120 | $90 | $65 | $40 | $35 |
| 11 | $135 | $95 | $70 | $45 | $40 |
| 12 | $150 | $105 | $75 | $50 | $40 |
| 13 | $160 | $115 | $80 | $55 | $45 |
| 14 | $170 | $120 | $90 | $60 | $50 |
| 15 | $185 | $130 | $95 | $65 | $50 |
| 16 | $200 | $140 | $100 | $65 | $55 |
| 17 | $210 | $150 | $105 | $70 | $60 |
| 18 | $215 | $160 | $115 | $75 | $65 |
| 19 | $235 | $165 | $120 | $80 | $65 |
| 20 | $245 | $175 | $125 | $85 | $70 |
Payouts are based on the number of Expert riders registered for that race and are paid out at the event.
Feed Zones
There are open feed zones at all races unless the race official states otherwise. Check with each promoter for clarification.
Mechanical Issues
You must start and finish on the same bike. If you have a mechanical you cannot leave the course to get additional tools. You cannot receive help from other riders or spectators. You must carry any equipment to repair your bike with you during the race.
Gender Eligibility Policy
To maintain fairness and competitive integrity, athletes must compete in the race category corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. The US MTB Series follows the gender eligibility policies established by USA Cycling and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). In the event of any eligibility questions or disputes, the US MTB Series reserves the right to apply these governing body policies when determining race category placement.
Profanity
If you are caught cursing at another rider for any reason, the official can disqualify you from that race and the series official may suspend you for one or more races. Do not curse at anyone.
Lost Riders
If you miss a turn and cut the course you will be disqualified. Riders are responsible for knowing the course — check with race promoters about course maps and descriptions.
DNFs
If you have to quit a race for any reason, please let the scoring crew know so we don't go searching the course for you.
USAC Rule Book
Class Sizes
Promoters have the right to combine classes if not enough racers show up.
Junior Classes
We welcome all juniors 7 years of age and older.
Cat 1/2/3 Open Category
This category is designed for riders who want a more relaxed racing experience — whether you're trying racing for the first time, getting in some extra laps, or just enjoying the day with friends. No individual or team points are awarded in this category.
Categories/Classes
Promoters have the right to combine classes, eliminate classes, or create classes based on rider turnout or any other factors the promoter feels necessary to ensure the inclusion of any type of rider.
Race Protests
Every racer has the right to file a protest after a race as long as it is within the 15-minute protest period after a race wave is finished. If a racer accuses another racer of cheating, the protesting racer must have valid evidence of the other racer cheating, which includes witnesses, asking to view the accused person's Garmin/computer, etc. If the person accusing the other person of cheating cannot prove that cheating took place, the accuser is subject to being disqualified by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Weather
All races are rain or shine with the exception of extreme weather conditions or if a park will not allow us to race based on their weather guidelines.
US MTB Junior Series
A special season-long points chase and championship event held within the US MTB Series, designed for younger riders.
Junior riders are not limited to the Junior Series races. They may compete throughout the entire US MTB Series and earn US MTB Series points at all eligible races.
For 2027, the Junior Series consists of five designated Junior Series points races followed by the US MTB Junior Championship at Dark Mountain.
2027 Junior Series Schedule
| Date | Event | Round |
|---|---|---|
| March 14 | Brown's Creek | Round #1 |
| March 21 | Mayodan | Round #2 |
| April 4 | Bedford | Round #3 |
| April 11 | Woolwine | Round #4 |
| May 16 | Spartanburg | Round #5 |
| May 23 | Dark Mountain | US MTB Junior ChampionshipJr. Championship |
All six events are also part of the overall US MTB Series schedule.
Two Series — One Race Result
At each of the five designated Junior Series points races, eligible junior riders earn points toward both:
- The US MTB Junior Series standings; and
- The overall US MTB Series standings.
The same race can therefore help a junior rider compete for both championships. The two standings are calculated separately and have different requirements.
Junior Series Scoring
Points are awarded by finishing position at each Junior Series points race.
Points continue by finishing position through 20th place, which receives 1 point.
Best 4 of 5 Results Count
The Junior Series includes five points races, but only a rider's best four results count toward the final Junior Series standings. Each rider therefore receives one automatic drop. The dropped result may be a rider's lowest scoring race or a race the rider did not attend — a rider who competes in all five races receives the advantage of being able to drop their lowest result.
Important: the drop applies only to the Junior Series standings. The rider's result from that race continues to count normally toward the overall US MTB Series standings.
Junior Series Overall Champions
After Junior Series Round #5 at Spartanburg, the best four results for each rider will be totaled and the Junior Series standings will become final. The rider with the most points in each eligible category will be recognized as the 2027 US MTB Junior Series Overall Champion. Second- and third-place riders will also receive Junior Series Overall recognition.
Tiebreakers
If two or more riders finish the Junior Series with the same number of points after their drop is applied, ties will be broken in the following order:
- Most Junior Series race wins
- Most second-place finishes
- Most third-place finishes
- Best finish at Junior Series Round #5
If riders remain tied after these criteria, additional head-to-head results may be used to determine the final finishing order.
US MTB Junior Championship
The Junior Series concludes with a separate one-day championship race at Dark Mountain on May 23, 2027. The Junior Championship is not another Junior Series points race — there are no drops, bonus points, or calculations.
2027 US MTB Junior Champion
The rider who wins their eligible category at Dark Mountain earns this title. The Junior Series Overall title rewards consistency over the five-race Junior Series; the Junior Championship rewards the rider who performs best on championship day. A rider may win one title or both.
2027 US MTB Junior Double Champion
A rider who wins both the Junior Series Overall Championship and the Junior Championship will receive special recognition as a US MTB Junior Double Champion.
Dark Mountain Still Counts Toward the US MTB Series
Although Dark Mountain does not award Junior Series points, it remains a regular US MTB Series points event. Junior riders competing at Dark Mountain will therefore continue to earn points toward their overall US MTB Series standings based on their finish. The Junior Series ends at Dark Mountain, but a junior rider's pursuit of the overall US MTB Series Championship can continue throughout the remainder of the US MTB Series season.
Call-Ups
Junior Series standings will be used for call-ups at designated Junior Series events. Riders must pre-register by the published call-up deadline to receive a call-up. For the Junior Championship at Dark Mountain, call-ups will be based on the final Junior Series Overall standings after Round #5 — this gives riders an additional incentive to compete throughout the Junior Series and earn the best possible starting position for the Championship.
Awards
Junior Series Overall Awards
Junior Championship Awards
Junior award details are still being finalized for 2027 — trophies will be presented for both the Junior Series Overall and Junior Championship titles.
The Junior Series is intended to introduce young racers to series competition while allowing them to remain part of the larger US MTB Series. Junior riders are encouraged to continue racing after the Junior Championship and pursue the overall US MTB Series standings and other season-ending awards.
US MTB Series Team Rules
The Team Championship promotes fair competition, encourages team development, and recognizes both large and small programs by dividing the series into two team divisions based on roster size.
New for 2027 — Podium Requirement
Starting in 2027, a team must field a full podium — at least 3 finishers — in a race for that race to count toward the Team Championship. Races where a team has fewer than 3 finishers will not earn that team any points for the Team Championship standings.
Team Divisions
Summit Division
Large Teams
- Teams with 8 or more registered riders
- Team size is determined by the official roster at the start of the season
- All riders must be properly registered under a single team name
- The top 9 individual finishers from the team at each race will score points
- Team race score is the sum of those 9 riders' individual points
- Individual scoring follows the standard US MTB Series points structure
- Teams get to drop their 2 worst races
Trail Division
Small Teams
- Teams with 7 or fewer registered riders
- Team size is determined by the official roster at the start of the season
- The top 5 individual finishers from the team at each race will score points
- Team race score is the sum of those 5 riders' individual points
- Individual scoring follows the standard US MTB Series points structure
- Teams get to drop their 2 worst races
Team Rosters & Registration
- All riders may represent only one team per season.
- Team rosters are evaluated beginning at Race #1.
- Teams may adjust roster size during the first three (3) races only.
- Rosters and divisions are locked after Race #3.
Division Changes
- Teams may upgrade or downgrade divisions prior to Race #3.
- Any division change must be approved by US MTB Series officials.
- No division changes are permitted.
- All teams remain in their assigned division for the remainder of the season.
Points Reset Policy
If a team voluntarily changes divisions at any point:
- All previously earned team points are forfeited
- Points do not transfer between divisions
- Team standings restart at zero in the new division
This policy exists to prevent strategic manipulation of team size or scoring.
Minimum Roster Requirements
- Summit Division teams must maintain a minimum of 9 registered riders.
- Trail Division teams must maintain 8 or fewer registered riders.
- If a Summit Division team drops below 9 riders after Race #3, the team remains in the Summit Division for the season.
- Teams may not remove riders to avoid an upgrade requirement.
Series Championship Scoring
- Every race counts toward the Team Championship.
- No dropped races unless specifically announced for a given season.
- Team standings are cumulative across the season.
Tie-Breaking Criteria
If teams are tied on total points, ties will be broken in the following order:
- Most team race wins
- Most second-place finishes
- Head-to-head result at the final race
- Decision by Series Officials (if necessary)
Sportsmanship & Integrity
- Teams must compete in the division that reflects their true roster size.
- Any attempt to manipulate rosters, scoring, or division placement may result in penalties or disqualification.
- The US MTB Series reserves the right to review and enforce all team classifications.
Awards
Summit Division
Trail Division
Team Championships are awarded separately for the Summit and Trail divisions at the Series Championship event. Additional team awards may be announced during the season.
Final Authority
The US MTB Series reserves the right to:
- Interpret and enforce these rules
- Make clarifications when necessary
- Act in the best interest of fair competition and rider development
No Refund Policy
We appreciate your interest in participating in the US MTB Mountain Bike Series. Please carefully review our no refund policy outlined below.
Refunds
- No refunds: We do not provide refunds under any circumstances unless an event is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled.
- Event cancellation: In the rare case that an event is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, or other reasons beyond our control, participants will be entitled to a refund.
- Notification: In the event of a cancellation, registered participants will be notified via email and/or through our official website.
- Refund process: Refunds for cancelled events will be processed automatically to the original payment method used during registration within a reasonable timeframe.
- Chargebacks: If you register and/or race with us and decide you're not happy with us for some unwarranted reason and file a chargeback with your credit card company and win, we will suspend you indefinitely.
Transfers
Participants are allowed to transfer their registration to another individual.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our refund policy, please contact us at racinginthewoods@gmail.com (subject: "Request for Refund").
By registering for the US MTB Mountain Bike Series, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the terms of this no refund policy. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Championship Jersey Policy
The US MTB Series Championship Jersey is the highest individual honor awarded by the US MTB Series — recognizing riders who have demonstrated exceptional performance, consistency, and commitment throughout the championship season.
To receive a complimentary Championship Jersey, a rider must meet all of the following:
- Be the Overall US MTB Series Champion in an eligible championship category.
- Compete in a minimum of 8 of the 10 regular season US MTB Series events during the season.
- Compete in an eligible championship category — Cat 3 categories are developmental divisions and are not eligible to receive a Championship Jersey.
- The championship category must average a minimum of four (4) starters per race over the course of the season (40 total starts based on a 10-race regular season).
Champions in eligible categories that do not meet the minimum participation requirement will still be officially recognized as the US MTB Series Champion and will receive all applicable championship recognition. However, they will not receive a complimentary Championship Jersey. Champions who do not qualify for a complimentary jersey may purchase the official US MTB Series Championship Jersey separately.
The US MTB Series reserves the right to interpret and administer these guidelines and to make final decisions regarding championship eligibility and awards.
The purpose of this policy is to preserve the prestige of the US MTB Series Championship Jersey while rewarding riders who demonstrate season-long excellence in competitive fields and a strong commitment to the US MTB Series.