The Junior Cycling Calendar follows a predictable pattern throughout the year. Here we provide an oversight of the structrue of the calendar. Events dates and details change each year, so this information should be used as general guidance only.
Age Groups
Age groups are U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19 and U23.
Children race in age groups according to what age they will turn in the calendar year. So for example if my daughter was turning 15 this calendar year, she will be racing in U17 age group.
Children will ‘move-up’ an age group in October, as this is when the summer track season starts.
Track Season
Track Season starts in October and finishes with National Championships in April.
Generally clubs hold local races during the summer, often on weeknights and weekends. Interclub races bring large groups of rirder from all ages together.
The National Junior Track Series (NJTS) is held across three or four venues in capital cities at in-door velodromes for U15 and U17 riders. There are usually events in early December, mid January and mid February. QuadC sends a team to each event, which the kids (and parents) all really enjoy. Children training for NJTS will be invited to join the Junior Development Squad at DISC during this period of time.
In the week following Christmas country clubs run the ‘Christmas Carnivals’ that will include events at velodromes in Shepparton, Wangaratta, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Ballarat. Over 4 or 5 days, these events are great fun in a really supportive environment.
Other marquee track events include The Austral, The Melbourne Cup on Wheels, Bells Helmets Track Open and Preston Track Carnival.
State Championships are usually held in mid to late March.
Road Season
Road Season has two phases.
Summer
Criterium Racing forms the bulk of our Club Program during day-light savings months. We operate racing on Tuesday nights (at Sandown Race Track) and Sunday mornings (at Glenvale Cres in Mulgrave). QuadC members learn to ride these courses in Coached Novice Clinics starting at 5.45pm (Tuesday) and 8.30am (Sunday). As our kids progress they have the opportunity to race in higher grades, to ensure that their cycling is able to progress.
The Victorian Interschool Cycling Series (VICS) usually runs over 7 races in term 4 and term 1. Children are graded according to age (junior and senior) and capability (A, B or C grade). Only some schools send teams, many QuadC riders will represent their school as sole riders. Series points are awarded with an overall winner announced after the final event.
March to September
The Road Season proper includes club road races, Victorian Junior Road Series (VJRS) and National Junior Road Series Events. The season culminates in State Road Championships in August and National Road Championships in September.
The VJRS races are open to all age groups up to U17. They take place on approved closed road circuits around Victoria, including Broadford Motor Racing Track, Ararat, Harcourt, Eildon, Bright, Bendigo and Warragul amongst others. These events are great fun, and are a great way to spend the weekend away with the kids. At night times families from the club get together for dinner.
The first VJRS race of the Road Season is usually the Alpe de Buffalo – with a short time trial, a criterium race and the race up Mt Buffalo (or part of Mt Buafflo for U11 and U13). The climb is designated the State Hill Climb Championships. Information is here: Alpe de Buffalo
Other races follow approximately every 3 weeks through to August. Finalised timetables are published on the VJRS registration website Entry Boss.
Cyclocross Season
Cyclocross (CX) is a winter sproting discipline held off road, in fields that include obstacles such as hills, fences, steps, sandpits and generally mud – sometimes lots of mud!
The season runs from May to August with races help most weekends, within metropolitan Melbourne, Warragul, Ballarat, Mt Beauty, Bright, Bendigo and elsewhere.
There is a National CX Series that includes races in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with National Championships held in August.
Preparing children for different seasons
QuadC training sessions help children prepare for the race calendar, adjusting sessions and activities according to months and activities.
See details about how much training is enough, and the guiding principals of the QuadC Program.