Little 500 rule shifts eligibility standards

The IU Student Foundation has approved a rule that will allow certain Category 1 and 2 riders to appeal for a spot in this year's Little 500.\nThe Amateur Status Modification Rule provides Category 1 and 2 riders the chance to race one final Little 500 if the student entered IU without any advanced cycling experience and has two years of Little 500 experience. After upgrading, the rider will retain one year of eligibility, which must be used the following year, and that rider must participate with the team he or she raced with the previous year. Any rider who wants to upgrade must submit an appeal to Little 500 Race Coordinator Lucas Calhoun, who will have the final say on whether the rider is eligible.\n"The rule helps prevent illegal recruiting," Calhoun said. "It truly rewards riders who come to IU with no experience."\nUSA Cycling rates cyclists on a scale from one to five. Cyclists classified as a Category 1 or 2 are considered professional-level racers and have been banned from the Little 500 since the early 1990s.\nThe rule change was proposed in the spring of 2005 by the Riders' Council. After deliberation with staff, alumni and current riders, the current form of the Amateur Status Modification was crafted. The 2006 Riders' Council approved the change by an 18-4 vote.\nCategory 2 rider Steve Ballinger, of Team Major Taylor, will not be assisted by the new rule, as he entered IU as a Category 3 rider. Ballinger has expressed his opposition to the rule, saying it will adversely affect his team.\nBut for this season, the new rule most notably affects senior Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen. Last season's most valuable rider, Arnesen upgraded from a Category 3 to a Category 2 during the summer. With the new rule change, Arnesen can potentially be eligible to add the Little 500 championship to his long list of awards and recognitions if his appeal is granted by Calhoun, who declined to comment on the status of Arnesen because he said he has not reviewed Arnesen's records from USA Cycling.\n"I am very excited to have another chance to race," Arnesen said of the rule change. "I love the Little 500."\nIn response to critics of the rule, Arnesen, who also serves as the president of the Riders' Council, said the new rule will allow riders to get better while still maintaining eligibility for the Little 500. There is little difference between a good Category 3 rider and a Category 2 rider, and this rule will prevent teams from recruiting Category 3 riders, he said.\n"You don't suddenly get Jedi powers by upgrading," Arnesen said. "It's just a number."\nSome people are suspicious about the timing of the rule change and Arnesen being named president of the Riders' Council.\n"What was IUSF trying to accomplish by making Hans the president of the Riders' Council?" Kappa Alpha Theta coach and former Acacia coach Tom Schwoegler said. "Did they not realize that would cause a firestorm?"\nBut Calhoun disputes the notion some critics have that this rule was made specifically for Arnesen.\n"Hans was not a factor in this change," Calhoun said. "It was a natural progression of the race after many discussions. It was just a timing thing."\nWhile the new rule may initially be criticized by some, Calhoun said he believes it will improve the Little 500 for years to come.\n"My role is to make this race better," Calhoun said. "There may be detractors, but this will enhance the race. We may not see results immediately, but this is what's best for the future of the Little 500"