Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Commission Selection Criteria For the South African Mountain Bike Team and High Performance Squad

Transcription

1 Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Commission 2018 Selection Criteria For the South African Mountain Bike Team and High Performance Squad Version-02 : Published 01 st December 2017

2 Cycling South Africa MTB Commission Mountain Bike Team and HP Squad Selection Criteria 2018 V01 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction and Purpose Selection Panel Minimum requirements for eligibility: Team Squad sizes, PDI Representation and Budget constraints Mountain Bike Disciplines and Age Categories recognized Applicable Age Categories: Performance Criteria - XCO Performance Criteria - DHI Performance Criteria - XCM Selection Races XCO DHI XCM Tier Hierarchy for Selection and Funding SA Team Selection: World Championships [Junior, U-23 and Elite]: Team Sizes Other MTB Disciplines not listed Rider Responsibilities Riders participating internationally Continental Champs, World Cups and World Championships Host Nation Team Selection for any MTB World Cup that may be held in SA African Continental Championships 2018: Any other situation requiring host nation team selection in Commonwealth Games [CWG] Masters World Champs : Target Dates for Team Selection, Approval, Appeals and Announcement...14 Addendum A1 Policy for MTB High Performance Squad and Team Selection : Summary Outline...15

3 1.0 Introduction and Purpose 1.01 To enable riders to prepare, train and schedule for the upcoming 2018 racing season, and for their potential selection to national mountain bike teams, it is essential that clear guidelines and targets are set out for them to work to. That is thus the main purpose of this document While these Team Selection Criteria form an integral part of the High Performance [HP] program of CSA-MTB, the HP guidelines are dealt with in a separate document. The selection criteria will be used to identify and select riders into the HP program, but riders who are not yet on the HP program are not necessarily excluded from selection. They must, however, still meet the criteria contained in this document The general guiding policy for selection to the High Performance Squad is included as Addendum The Team Selection Criteria will be used to select the teams to represent South Africa at: Mountain Bike World Championships Host nation RSA Team for any Mountain Bike World Cup that may be held in South Africa Other events, if held, where selection of an RSA team is required; e.g. African Continental Championships In collaboration with SASCOC guidelines and any applicable quotas, to nominate riders to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Any agreement between SASCOC and CyclingSA regarding qualification criteria will also be applied [to be made available as soon as published] 1.05 It is very important to understand at this stage that, by a rider meeting the performance criteria set out later in this document, he/she will not automatically qualify for inclusion in the High Performance squad and/or inclusion in ANY RSA MTB team. A selection process and panel approval is also required. 2.0 Selection Panel As part of the process to ensure that the selection panel operates in a fair, objective and transparent manner, the following principles will apply for the appointment and participation of panel members: 2.01 Eligibility: Panel members should not be directly involved with contending riders in one or more of the following roles: Parent, coach, sponsor or manager If any panel member in such a role is co-opted or appointed due to expertise and-or specialist knowledge, they will be expected to recuse themselves from any discussion relating to their riders 2.02 Panel members should be appointed on the basis of proven competence in at least one or more of: Depth of knowledge and understanding of selection principles and policy Ability to apply selection criteria fairly, objectively and consistently Specific discipline expertise, in one or more of XCO, DHI and XCM Specialist sports scientific knowledge and expertise, preferably related to cycling and MTB Direct observation and assessment of rider performances at selection events 2.03 Selection Panel 2018: To retain institutional knowledge and promote continuity, panel members should serve for at least 2 years. The Panel should strive not to replace more than 3 members in any one year. The appointed panel members are: Convenor of Selectors: High Performance: Dennis Jackson

4 XCO Specialist: Greg Stedman DHI Specialist: Riaan Du Preez XCM specialist: Mark Meyer PDI Representative: Siphamandla Ndhlovu Women Representative: A Chief Selector will be elected by the full Panel, but cannot be the Convenor The role of the Convenor will generally be to: Convene and guide the selection process, and Chair meetings of the Selection Panel Gather and compile the performance data required by the selectors Ensure that the selectors apply the criteria fairly and objectively Report to CyclingSA on the findings of the Selection Panel 2.06 Additional members may be co-opted to the selection panel, to provide further inputs and observations 3.0 Minimum requirements for eligibility: To be in contention for selection, all riders must: Be a South African Citizen 3.02 Meet the UCI requirements in terms of citizenship, particularly in cases where dual citizenship comes into question 3.03 Have a full racing Cycling SA license by the start of the season, or first selection race if earlier 3.04 Never bring the sport into disrepute 3.05 Participate in the 2018 SA National Mountain Bike Championships 3.06 Participate in at least 3 Selection Races as listed below for each specific discipline 3.05 Familiarize themselves with-, and comply with-, all the rules of the UCI and CyclingSA 3.06 Meet the performance criteria detailed below 3.07 Note that team selection is not automatic on meeting the performance criteria only. The ability of riders to meet the targets in competition will also be assessed 3.08 Note that if no riders in any specific category or group meet the criteria, then no riders will be selected for that Category or group 4.0 Team Squad sizes, PDI Representation and Budget constraints 4.01 Since the transformation and development plans and implementation of CyclingSA-MTB are behind that of many other sports in South Africa, we will have a quota system in place to ensure we afford PDI mountain bikers the best possible opportunity to develop into world-class mountain bikers 4.02 While budget constraints will determine final squad sizes, the target will be to achieve a 25% PDI representation in teams. However, these riders also need to meet the selection criteria. In effect, this means that where more than 1 rider has equal qualification data, then any PDI will have preference.

5 4.03 Within the targets set at 4.02 above, those PDI riders achieving the best overall results in selection races across all categories will be considered for selection Overall, however, team squad sizes will be limited as set out below at Clause Should there therefore be more riders who qualify through the performance criteria set out below, only the very best riders will be selected, based on the results they achieve in terms of the specific selection criteria. Please also see the tables of maximum team sizes below in this document It is specifically noted that any and all team selections are subject to budgets and the availability of funds. This means that any form of selection can only be implemented if sufficient funds are available 5.0 Mountain Bike Disciplines and Age Categories recognized 5.01 Team selection will only focus on XCO [Cross Country], DHI [Downhill Individual] and XCM [Marathon Cross Country] 5.02 It is important to note that XCM only applies to riders of 19 years and older and only for the full marathon distance as per the UCI rules 5.03 While Youth riders may not be selected to the team, this age group is considered the entry point for talent identification, and for potential inclusion into the HP Squad 5.04 Senior riders [19yrs+] performing well in our local ±35km and ±70km races would have to compete in either XCO or the full distance XCM to be recognized 5.05 Only riders turning 17 years and older in 2018 will be considered for selection [except where the UCI allows younger riders at the World MTB Championships] 5.06 Any rider of 30 years and older in 2018, and who wants to be considered for selection as an Elite, will be required to have an Elite Racing Licence at the start of the 2018 season 5.07 This implies that riders aiming for team selection will need to decide to obtain an Elite licence prior to the season commencing, and must then race Elite for the full season 6.0 Applicable Age Categories: 6.01 XCO and DHI: Team: Junior and Elite racing categories only Masters World Champs: 30yrs+, and without Elite licence and-or current UCI points Squad: Youth, Junior and Elite 6.02 XCM: Team: 19 years and older

6 7.0 Performance Criteria - XCO 7.01 Automatic Selection Subject to all the above requirements, riders can qualify for automatic selection in one-, or more-, of the following ways, on condition that they also meet the performance criteria in each case: SA Champion African Continental Champion [only if held in 2018] Targets achieved at international selection races: In all cases below, where finish positions are taken into account, results where riders do not finish on the same number of laps as the winner, will not be considered. In addition, riders must also meet the performance criteria shown. Performance levels are based on the race category winner s time [i.e. Men assessed against Men; Women against Women] UCI World Cups: All Elite Men & Women: Top 40 Men 107% Women 110% U-23 Men & Women: Top 30 Men 107% Women 110% Junior Men & Women: Top 20 Men 110% Women 115% Swiss Cups: Only UCI Cat HC or 1: Elite Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% U-23 Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% Junior Men & Women: Top 10 Men 108% Women 110% French Cups: Only UCI Cat HC: Elite Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% U-23 Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% Junior Men & Women: Top 10 Men 108% Women 110% German Bundesliga: Only UCI Cat HC or Cat 1: Elite Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% U-23 Men & Women: Top 20 Men 105% Women 107% Junior Men & Women: Top 10 Men 108% Women 110% 7.02 Series Performance Selection: SA National Cup Series: Final standings, subject to achieving the following:- Categories: Applies to the combined Elite+U-23 group and to Junior s Positions: Top 3 Men and Top 2 women overall in the Series Performance: Must be within 5% of the race winner on at least 3 series races Basis: The measure used to assess performance will be Average Lap Times UCI World Rankings Elite Men and Women only: Any Elite or Under-23 rider, who is in the Top 10 of the UCI World Rankings at the time of selection, will be exempt from the requirements for both automatic selection and any further performance criteria. However, the minimum requirements at 3.0 above will still apply. Qualifying riders can apply for exemption from riding the SA Championships, but this will only be considered if the rider is considered a realistic Top 5 contender at the World Championships. This concession is not automatic, and must be approved first

7 UCI Junior World Series; Junior Men & Women: Final Series standings: Top Further competitive assessment: If further assessment is required where riders are very close on performances achieved in terms of 7.01 and 7.02, the Selection Panel will also be required to assess performance in terms of results achieved, in the priority order shown, as to: st Head-to-Head: Where positons are tallied, with the lowest total being the best result nd Podiums: Top 3 positions achieved in selection races, with points 1 st = 3; 2 nd = 2; 3 rd = rd Ranking: UCI World ranking followed by RSA ranking 7.04 HP Squad Selection: Where riders in any category are performing within a further 5% of the criteria listed for SA Team selection as per 7.01 and 7.02 above, they will be considered for inclusion in the MTB High Performance Squad The number of riders included in the HP Squad will be limited to the team sizes in 13.0 below 8.0 Performance Criteria - DHI 8.01 Automatic Selection Subject to all the above requirements, riders can qualify for automatic selection in one-, or more-, of the following ways: SA Champion African Continental Champion [only if held in 2018] Targets achieved at international selection races: UCI World Cups: All Elite Men & Women: Final Run: Top 30 Women: Top 5 Seeding Run: Top 15 Women: Top Junior Men & Women: Final Run Top 10 Seeding Run Top UCI Categorized Races: Cat 1 and Cat Elite Men & Women: Final Run: Top 10 Seeding Run: Top Junior Men & Women: Final Run Top 10 Seeding Run Top Junior riders Overall Performance: Junior Men and Women If a Junior rider wins a SA National Series race Overall, they can be considered for automatic selection, subject to Clause 3.0 above and subject to maximum team sizes 8.02 Series Performance Selection: SA National Cup Series: Final standings, subject to achieving the following:- Categories: Elite and Junior: Men and Women Positions: Top 3 Men and Top 2 women overall in the Series Performance: Must be within 5% of the race winner on at least 3 series races Basis: Only Final Run results will be assessed

8 UCI World Cup Rankings Elite Men and Women only: Any rider, who is in the Top 10 of the UCI World Cup Rankings at the time of selection, will be exempt from the requirements for both automatic selection and any further performance criteria. However, the minimum requirements at 3.0 above will still apply. Riders qualifying in terms of this concession can apply for exemption from riding the SA Championships, but this will only be considered if the rider is considered a realistic Top 5 contender at the World Championships. This is not automatic, and must be approved first UCI World Cup Top 60 Qualification: If a rider qualifies for the final run at a World Cup, they can be shortlisted to be considered for selection subject to Clauses 3.0 and Further competitive assessment: After the assessments in 8.01 and 8.02, if further assessment is required where riders are very close in terms of performances achieved, the Selection Panel will also be required to assess performance in terms of results achieved, in the priority order shown, as to: st Head-to-Head: Where positons are tallied, with the lowest total being the best result nd Podiums: Top 3 positions achieved in selection races, with points 1 st = 3; 2 nd = 2; 3 rd = rd Ranking: UCI World ranking followed by RSA ranking 8.04 HP Squad Selection: Where riders in any category are performing within a further 5% of the criteria listed for SA Team selection as per 8.01 and 8.02 above, they will be considered for inclusion in the MTB High Performance Squad The number of riders included in the HP Squad will be limited to the team sizes in 13.0 below 9.0 Performance Criteria - XCM 9.01 Automatic Selection Subject to all the above requirements, riders can qualify for automatic selection in one-, or more-, of the following ways: SA Champion African Continental Champion [only if held in 2018] Targets achieved at international selection races: In all cases below and if applicable, where finish positions are taken into account, results where riders do not finish on the same number of laps as the winner, will not be considered: UCI World Marathon Series Elite Men & Women: Top Series Performance Selection: SA National Marathon Series: Final standings, subject to achieving the following:- Categories: Elite Men and Women Positions: Top 2 Men and Top 2 women overall in the Series Performance: Must be within 5% of the race winner on at least 3 series races Basis: The measure used to assess performance will be against the respective winners of the Elite Men [for men] and Elite Women [or women] UCI World Rankings Elite Men and Women only: Any rider who is in the Top 10 of the UCI World Marathon Rankings at the time of selection, will be exempt from the requirements for both automatic selection and any further performance criteria. However, the minimum requirements at 3.0 above will still apply

9 9.03 Further competitive assessment: If further assessment is required where riders are very close in terms of performances achieved in terms of 9.01 and 9.02, the Selection Panel will also be required to assess performance in terms of results achieved, in the priority order shown, as to: st Head-to-Head: Where positions are tallied, with the lowest total being the best result nd Podiums: Top 3 positions achieved in selection races, with points 1 st = 3; 2 nd = 2; 3 rd = rd Ranking: UCI World ranking followed by RSA ranking 9.04 HP Squad Selection: Where riders in any category are performing within a further 5% of the criteria listed for SA Team selection as per 9.01 and 9.02 above, they will be considered for inclusion in the MTB High Performance Squad The number of riders included in the HP Squad will be limited to the team sizes in 13.0 below 10.0 Selection Races XCO Selection Races for XCO Event and-or Series Weight Dates Venue Class Country SA National Cup Series % Feb Jun 2018 As per Series C1 RSA SA National Championships % 21-Jul-2018 Bloemfontein CN RSA UCI World Cup Series % Mar Jun 2018 As per Series CM Various Swiss Cup Series % Mar Jun 2018 As per Series C1 & HC SUI UCI Junior World Series 100% Jan Jun 2018 As per Series C1 Various African Continental Champs % tbc Tbc CC tbc French Cup Series % Mar Jun 2018 As per Series HC FRA German Bundesliga % Mar Jun 2018 As per Series C1 & HC GER Regional and National Schools Series Various dates & venues : Used for talent ID only It is the personal responsibility of contending riders to establish the dates and venues of the races and series listed as selection races DHI Selection Races for DHI Names of Series or Races Weight Date Venue Class Country SA National Cup Series % Jan Jun 2018 As per Series Tbc RSA SA National Championships % 22-Jul-2016 tbc CN RSA UCI World Cup Series % Mar Jun 2018 As per Series CM Various IXS European Cup Series 100% Mar Jun 2018 As per Series C1 Various It is the personal responsibility of contending riders to establish the dates and venues of the races and series listed as selection races

10 10.03 XCM In addition to the nominated selection races, results from the following major events can be used to support and confirm selections International UCI-ranked Marathons The ABSA Cape Epic Major Stage Races with the appropriate stage distances Race Distances: Men km Women: km Nominated XCM Selection events 2018, with supporting data as listed at Designated Races MTB Marathon Date Town Venue Region Attakwas MTB Ultra Marathon 120km 21-Jan-2018 Oudtshoorn Southern Cape Trans Breede Ultra 120km 28-Jan-2018 Rawsonville Western Cape SA National XCM Series 2018 [Ashburton] Jan Jul 2018 As per Series Various SA National XCM Championships 2018 April July tbc tbc UCI World Marathon Series Jan May 2018 As per Series Various Stage Races & UCI Marathons [see above] Various Various Various It is the personal responsibility of contending riders to establish the dates and venues of the races and series listed as selection races 11.0 Tier Hierarchy for Selection and Funding Based on the performance criteria above, riders will be allocated into Tiers to determine both final team selection and funding levels The funding of selected team members is strictly subject to the necessary funds being available from CyclingSA and-or any other sources. This may mean that selected team members will be required to source their own funding to the World Championships Where team members are self-funded, the selection criteria and team sizes will still apply Notwithstanding the Tier to which any rider is allocated, the maximum team sizes as provided for in 13.0 below will be adhered to: Riders will be allocated to Tiers, and to funding levels, as follows: Tier 1: Riders who have achieved Automatic Selection 100% funded Tier 2: Riders who qualified other than through Automatic Selection: 50% funded Tier 3: Reserves: Riders who have qualified but exceed max team size quotas. Funding will depend on qualification level 12.0 SA Team Selection: World Championships [Junior, U-23 and Elite]: Only riders who comply with all the requirements as set out in this document will be eligible for selection to represent South Africa at the World Mountain Bike Championships, and any other events requiring SA Team selection The only exceptions to this would be Elite and Under-23 South African riders who find themselves in the top 10 (ranking as per UCI) in the World for XCO, DHI or XCM at time of choosing the team to represent South Africa Riders qualifying in terms of Clause above, can apply for exemption from riding the SA Championships, but this will only be considered if the rider is considered a realistic Top 5 contender at the World Championships. This is not automatic, and must be approved first

11 12.04 The exception provided for in above does not apply to Junior s, who will need to qualify in terms of the general selection criteria above. This is mainly due to the structure of participation in the World Juniors Series, and to the fact that the Series is not aligned with other country s racing seasons 13.0 Team Sizes The best riders in each category will be chosen based on the selection races listed below, subject to the maximum team size as per the table below Maximum team and squad size Quantity of Riders: XCO DHI Category HP Squad SA Team HP Squad SA Team Elite Men Elite Women U23 Men 3 3 n/a n/a U23 Women 2 2 n/a n/a Junior Men Junior Women Youth Men 3 n/a 2 n/a Youth Women 3 n/a 0 n/a Totals > > > Category XCM Squad XCM Team Men 5 2 Women Other MTB Disciplines not listed X, MTB Trials and any other MTB discipline not listed in this document, are not recognized in South Africa as official RSA Team selection disciplines and, as such, we will not have any representation in these disciplines at World Champs irrespective the position a South African might hold as per the UCI ranking

12 15.0 Rider Responsibilities The onus is on the rider who believes him/her-self to be eligible for selection for the 2018 World Champs team to provide the selectors with reasons for a DNS or DNF at selection races Reasons to be provided in writing within 48 hours of the selection race The only allowable reasons for a DNS and/or DNF will be sickness or mechanical breakdown Once a rider has started the race, sickness cannot be used as an excuse anymore Mechanical problems can only be used as a reason once during the season All correspondence to be addressed to dellah@cyclingsa.com 16.0 Riders participating internationally ALL riders who want to be considered for selection to the RSA Team for World MTB Champs, must participate in the 2018 SA National Championships, and must also meet the performance criteria Any rider who, for whatever reason, is unable to attend any national series event, must submit their reasons to the Selection Panel at least 10 days before the specific event. The selectors will have the discretion to decide as to whether the motivation submitted is valid, and to approve the absence. In such cases, proven performance within the required parameters for 2018 can be taken into account Where international results are considered, the UCI-rating of the event will also be taken into account, as well as the quality and world ranking of other riders participating in the same race. As these criteria are designed to select RSA riders who can achieve the targets as set out above, those targets will be applied to assess the level of competition at any specific race For example, the ixs Downhill Series in Europe: The results of contending RSA riders, will be assessed against the world ranking of participating riders in each UCI-rated event. This may mean that they would need to meet- or exceed times achieved by riders who are ranked in the world top 30 at the same event These riders are required to submit their results within 10 days after a race, and providing the following information to the MTB Convenor of Selectors via dellah@cyclingsa.com :> Name, date, venue and UCI Class of the event Number of laps, if XCO; qualifier and final if DHI Race winners name, nation, time and current world ranking Riders own finish position and time Ascent per lap in metres Additional information on any mechanical failures, illness or unforeseen challenges If riders do not submit results for any particular race, those results may be excluded from being assessed The selection panel may also source results of races, in addition to those submitted by riders, to enable them to evaluate performances

13 17.0 Continental Champs, World Cups and World Championships Host Nation Team Selection for any MTB World Cup that may be held in SA Riders with UCI Points: Those riders who have sufficient UCI points to qualify in terms of UCI rules, will automatically be able to participate. The onus is on these riders to inform CSA-MTB of their intention to participate at least 1 month before the World Cup Riders with insufficient UCI points and first-time Juniors [who were Youth in 2017]: As host nation, SA is allowed to enter teams in addition to riders who qualify automatically: XCO: Elite and Under-23: 6 riders DHI: Elite and Junior combined: 6 riders XCO: Junior: = 12 riders [A- and B- team] With the purpose of giving as many riders as possible the opportunity to race at this level, and to reward performance and commitment at national series events, the following will apply: African Continental Championships 2018: If no quota is applied, there will not be selection criteria for the African Continental Championships in 2018, and all licensed riders may participate Participation in any African Continental Championship will be on a self-funded basis, unless adequate funding is available, in which case the selection criteria as for World Champs will apply Any other situation requiring host nation team selection in The same criteria as for the World Cup above will apply, but in addition Any further series points earned prior to the event for which selection is required Commonwealth Games [CWG] The primary selection criteria, and number of male and female riders, will be determined by the specific criteria as laid down by SASCOC and in any agreements between SASCOC and CyclingSA In terms of the cycling discipline types and quotas of the Commonwealth Games Association, only XCO will be contested at the 2018 CWG. Quotas are restricted to a maximum of 3 Women and 3 Men, and only to riders of 19 years and older in Only current Under-23 and Elite riders in 2017, will be considered for selection. This means that riders who were Juniors in 2017 will not be considered for CWG 2018 selection To be considered for selection, riders will need to be ranked within the Top 10 in the Commonwealth [CW] countries as based on the UCI World Rankings as they stand on 31 st December In addition in terms of performance, and in competition against riders from other CW countries, riders need to achieve average lap times within 5% of the leading CW rider on at least 1 occasion. Where several riders meet this level, the provisions in 8.03 above will apply While all the provisions of above will apply strictly, the secondary selection criteria will be the same as those that apply to the SA Team Selection in This includes the basic requirements in 3.0 above, the Performance Criteria as listed in 7.0 above and the nominated Selection Races in of the 2017 Selection Policy SASCOC retains the sole right for the final announcement of the CWG Team. Approval of selection is entirely at the discretion of SASCOC. Successfully following and attaining the necessary qualification in line with the selection criteria is not a guarantee of attendance at CWG, as that decision rests solely with SASCOC

14 17.05 Masters World Champs : This section only applies to riders who are licensed in the official RSA Age Categories of 30yrs and older in Riders of 30yrs+ who have licensed as Elite for 2018, will not be eligible for Masters selection Masters riders are required to have a full CSA racing licence in their age category at the time of entry to Masters World Champs, as well as proof of appropriate medical insurance Riders must not compete in any UCI-points race during 2018, whereby they would accumulate UCI points, -e.g. the Elite Men category at ABSA Cape Epic. They can race in non-uci point s categories, such as Veterans, Mixed or Masters In addition, riders must not have accumulated any UCI points in the 12 months prior to the Masters World Champs Selection races for Masters: The same selection races as listed above for the SA Team in Section , will also be the designated selection races for all Masters categories These criteria apply for merit selection and thus eligibility for CSA federation colours. Masters riders who are not selected on merit, may still enter the Masters World Champs of their own accord, but will not be eligible for CSA federation colours For Merit Selection to the CSA MTB Masters Team, the following criteria will be applied to select riders in each of the 5-yr age categories from 30 yrs to 60 yrs Selection will be based simply on the National MTB Series Log position as at 25 th June 2018, with the best 4 races out of 5 to count The minimum number of riders in each 5-yr age group in any selection race will be 3; if there are not 3 riders in an age group in any one selection race, that race will not be considered Once the above criteria have been met, then the maximum number of riders to be selected for each 5-yr age group will be Target Dates for Team Selection, Approval, Appeals and Announcement The following target dates are set down with the purpose of guiding the work of the Selection Panel, CyclingSA and riders so that all functions are carried out timeously for preparation and logistics: Task XCO & DHI XCM Preliminary Team Selection: 23-July Jul Appeals to be submitted: 27-July Aug Final Team Selection: 01-Aug Aug Approval by CyclingSA: 01-July Aug Announcement of Team: 02-Aug Aug-2018

15 Addendum 1 A1 Policy for MTB High Performance Squad and Team Selection : Summary Outline Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Commission MTB Squad and Team Selection Criteria A1.01 Introduction A The guiding principles and overall purpose of these criteria, is that there should be: Early identification of talent and potential to enable rider athletes to be nurtured and guided through a structured program to reach their potential A Scientifically-based assessment and testing, both to confirm potential and to set a base from which further development can be measured A The target for talent identification should be in the Youth age category, being 15 to 16 years; thereafter, the focus age groups will be between 17 and 23 years in both women and men. While exceptional athletes outside of these ranges could be included, the main focus will fall on those riders as indicated A From the talent ID and initial assessment, a High Performance Squad will be selected A There must be specific attention to transformation at the entry stages, so that at teamselection level the affected athletes will be able to meet performance criteria A1.02 Term of Policy A It is envisaged that the strategy and policy would be implemented over a 5-year period, commencing in 2013, with the following targets as a guideline, over the short- and medium term: A yrs: Have 3 Elite athletes, in each MTB discipline, ranked in the Top 20 in the world A yrs: Achieve World Cup podiums in each discipline A1.03 Levels and Structure As riders come into-, and exit-, the program, they would move through the following levels: A A A A A Level 1: Talent Identification and stock-taking ; this would include specific attention to transformation, and the identification of strong candidates from PDI groups Level 2: Evaluation and Assessment; this would include attention to the mental attitude and robustness of potential squad members Level 3: Selection to the High Performance squad Level 4: Selection to the National MTB Team, and further development Level 5: Exit process from the HP squad A1.04 Exit Criteria A Once athletes have reached the top of their potential or, for whatever reason, need to start a process of exiting the HP program, the following criteria would be assessed to determine whether an athlete will proceed off the program:

16 A A A A A Voluntary withdrawal Bringing the sport into disrepute [as determined within any approved CSA disciplinary4procedure] Failure to show any progress over a consecutive period of 18 months Reaching the nominal exit age of 25 years; but, also assessed on the basis of not showing further progress, despite good effort. This implies that there may well be exceptional athletes who would remain in the program after 25 yrs, if they are showing continued progress Failure to meet other basic squad selection criteria [such as submission of race results and other specific requirements] over a period of 3 months, without informing the HP program manager A1.05 Management of the MTB High Performance Program A To ensure the best on going management of the program, it is considered essential to appoint a manager for the program. This would need to be an appropriately qualified individual, with an interest and preferably experience in MTB. This person would work under the direction of the HP program steering committee