5th Annual Nutcracker Omnium Starts NEXT WEEK!!!

Yep, it is that time of year again - time for the Nutcracker Omnium! The dates are from Sept. 1st through Sept. 6th, 2009. This was an event started a few years back by Tim Creswell, Mike Trowbridge and Rand Miller. It took a short break, but we brought it back again a couple years back......and it was a blast!! The riders really had a good time with this one. This year, it is back again - bigger and better than ever, with a couple of small changes.

The 5th Annual Nutcracker Omnium will consist of 5 Stages over 6 days this year for Categories "A", "B" and the Women's Category. In reality, there are a total of 6 stages - but only 5 count for Category "A" and 5 count for Category "B" and the Women's Category. There will also be a Men's Masters 45+ Category within the "B" Category. :

Tuesday, Sept. 1st - Chico Airport Criterium - 6:00PM - "Nutcracker" Omnium (Part of the 2009 Chico Airport Criterium Series - TRIPLE POINT EVENT for the "A" Category) - For Category "A" & "B"

Wednesday, Sept. 2nd - Fast 50 - 6:00PM - Nutcracker Omnium (Counts for the "A" Category ONLY)

Thursday, Sept. 3rd - River Road 10-Mile TT - 6:00PM - Nutcracker Omnium (Part of the 2009 Chico 10-Mile Time Trial Series - DOUBLE POINT EVENT for the Series) - For Category "A" & "B"

Friday, Sept. 4th - Chico Airport Criterium - 6:00PM - Nutcracker Omnium (Counts for the "B" & Women's Category ONLY) (Part of the 2009 Chico Airport Criterium Series - TRIPLE POINT EVENT FOR THE "B" & Women's Categories) - For Category "B".

Saturday, Sept. 5th - Messilla Valley Circuit Race - 9:00AM - Nutcracker Omnium (Part of the 2009 Chico Road R.A.C.E. Series - DOUBLE POINT EVENT for the Series) - For Category "A" & "B"

Sunday, Sept. 6th - Cohasset UPHILL Time Trial - 9:00AM - Final Stage of Nutcracker Omnium (1st Race in the 2009 Chico Hill Climb Time Trial Series) - For Category "A" & "B"

How does it work??? Okay, in this scenario, an Omnium is just a stage race using points rather than time. You garner points for each stage depending upon how you did in the stage.......and, again, in this case.........the MOST points wins(many Omniums reverse this and have the least amount of points winning). There WILL be a Category "A", Category "B" and Women's Category - you must tell me at the start of the Tuesday Night Airport Criterium which Category you are entering.......and no downgrades during the Omnium once you're in. Categories may be combined, changed or eliminated if not enough folks come out. Most United States Cycling Federation rules will apply to ALL stages - including WEAR YOUR HELMET, don't ride too much like a nutcase, and so on and so forth. Please read the rules carefully at the bottom of this e-mail for all the rules pertaining to the Nutcracker Omnium. The River Road Time Trial - aero equipment WILL NOT be allowed for the Omnium! And remember - the only reasons we're doing this Omnium is for fun and fitness......and maybe a little competitiveness too, but nothing over-the-top please! Ride safe, have fun, try something new and challenge yourself. Anyone doing any of the stages is automatically entered in the Omnium..........but consistency in the events will be key. The Nutcracker Omnium Trophy will be awarded to the winner in each Category of the Omnium - but the Actual "Nutcracker" will go to the winner of the Mens "A" Division(trophy currently held by Kevin Speacht - last year's winner!).

So.....with that said, here are the Point Breakdowns for each of the Stages of the upcoming Nutcracker Omnium - and carefully read the rules listed below!:

Stage 1 - The Tuesday Night Airport Criterium - Tuesday, Sept. 1st - 6:00pm:
---Primes will not count towards the Omnium....and the 2009 Series points will be separate from the Omnium.
1st Place = 20 points
2nd = 16 points
3rd = 14 points
4th = 12 points
5th = 10 points
6th = 8 points
7th = 6 points
8th = 4 points
9th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

Stage 2 - The Fast 50 - Wednesday, Sept. 2nd - 6:00pm at Rosedale Elementary: (Category "A" Stage ONLY!)
*There will be 3 Intermediate Sprints (Elk Avenue, Fimple Road and Duncan Road - ONLY 1 lap of Troxel for this event!!).

The Intermediate Sprints are scored to the Top 3 placings as follows:

1st Place = 5 points
2nd = 3 points
3rd = 1 point

*The Final Sprint on West Sac. Avenue is worth the following points:

1st Place = 25 points
2nd = 20 points
3rd = 18 points
4th = 16 points
5th = 14 points
6th = 12 points
7th = 10 points
8th = 8 points
9th = 6 points
10th = 4 points
11th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

Stage 3 - River Road 10-Mile Time Trial - Thursday, September 3rd - 6:00pm:
*The use of Aero equipment is NOT allowed in this time trial!!! This includes - bikes, aero bars, frames, aero helmets and full-disc wheels. Deep dish wheels and skinsuits are okay though.
1st Place = 30 points
2nd = 24 points
3rd = 22 points
4th = 20 points
5th = 18 points
6th = 16 points
7th = 14 points
8th = 12 points
9th = 10 points
10th = 8 points
11th = 6 points
12th = 4 points
13th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

Stage 4 - Friday Night Chico Airport Criterium - Friday, September 4th - 6:00pm (Category "B" & Women's Categories ONLY!):
---Primes will not count towards the Omnium....and the 2009 Series points will be separate from the Omnium.
1st Place = 20 points
2nd = 16 points
3rd = 14 points
4th = 12 points
5th = 10 points
6th = 8 points
7th = 6 points
8th = 4 points
9th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

Stage 5 - Messilla Valley Circuit Race - Saturday, September 5th - 9:00am:
1st Place = 30 points
2nd = 24 points
3rd = 22 points
4th = 20 points
5th = 18 points
6th = 16 points
7th = 14 points
8th = 12 points
9th = 10 points
10th = 8 points
11th = 6 points
12th = 4 points
13th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

Stage 6 - The Cohasset UPHILL Time Trial - Sunday, September 6th - 9:00am (1st Race in Chico Hill Climb TT Series too!):
*Registration opens at 8:30am at Cohasset and Nicalog Road. Must register for the Time Trial in order to receive points. Free event, as usual. First rider off at 9:01am, and we will go in 1-minute intervals. Start is at Nicalog Road - Finish is at the Cohasset Store. Aero equipment - not that you'll need it - IS allowed for this one!
1st Place = 26 points
2nd = 22 points
3rd = 20 points
4th = 18 points
5th = 16 points
6th = 14 points
7th = 12 points
8th = 10 points
9th = 8 points
10th = 6 points
11th = 4 points
12th = 2 points
All other finishers = 1 point

RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!!!:
1. Riders who do ALL 5 EVENTS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE CATEGORIES WILL RECEIVE 30 BONUS POINTS!
2. No entry fee, no license required and NO WHINING! Whiners will be automatically scolded, so please be good!! ;)
3. If you are unable to make it to all of the events, your points will still be counted toward the overall standings.
4. Point totals will be posted before each event online and via e-mail.
5. Safety comes before bragging rights - so BE CAREFUL!!!
6. PLEASE - NO aero equipment to be used at the Airport Criterium, the Fast 50, the River Road Time Trial or the Messilla Valley Circuit Race!!!!!
7. Overall Points will be calculated by Sunday afternoon and trophies awarded after that time.
8. In the event of a tie, the competitor with the highest placing in the River Road Time Trial wins the overall. The winner will be presented with the Nutcracker Omnium Trophy.
9. Unless specifically modified by the above rules, all USCF racing rules apply to this event - including MANDATORY HELMETS IN ALL EVENTS! To find out more about USCF racing rules, please visit the USA Cycling website.
10. Cycling is not a perfectly safe sport, so don't even kid yourself. By entering this event, YOU PERSONALLY ACCEPT THE RISKS INVOLVED. Any injuries or damages will not be covered by anyone else but you. This is merely a competitive group ride and is not affiliated in any way with any sanctioning body.
11. Results will be posted daily to the local e-mail groups and www.ChicoBike.com.

Rodney..............
Team Chico & R.A.C.E. - Rodney's Annoying Cycling Events
Chico, CA