Varsity & Blues
Road Varsity Match.
In the Modern era, Cycling has been contested since 1954. The First women's Varsity was contested in 1997.
The Road varsity Match is in form of a 25 Mile TT- although in the last 20 years we have also organised the BTTF, then BUSA, then BUCS 25 as part of the same event.
Currently the cycling Varsity Match is held annually in the form of a 25 mile TT as part of the BUCS calendar of events. The three fastest riders from each respective university have their times aggregated, and the 1st team prize and Varsity title awarded accordingly is awarded accordingly. The next three riders form the second team, again with a prize for aggregated time.
As of 2018, Cambridge has won 46/61 of the Men's events and x/21 of the womens events.
Bear in mind in 1954, bunch racing on the road was still banned and riders wore all black to avoid arising suspicion!
Road cycling is a Half Blue sport, with a discretionary Full blue.
For past Varsity match results, go here: Past Road Varsity Results
Mountain biking
Mountain Biking is a rather newer sport- with the first varsity only contested in 199x. The mountain biking Varsity Match is held in the form of a XC (cross-country) race, usually in March. This consists of multiple laps of a short (3-6km) course, usually lasting for approximately an hour and a half. The team prize is awarded based on the times of the top three riders. The Varsity Match is hosted alternately by Oxford and Cambridge, and is decided on the aggregate time of the fastest three riders from each institution
It is a Half Blue sport and gained this status in the 00's.
For Previous Varsity results, click here: Past MTB Varsity Results
Blues Criteria
Full and half blues can be awarded to men and women in both time trialling and mountain biking. See below for the criteria. In other cycling disciplines (e.g., road racing or cyclo-cross), discretionary full blues can be awarded for outstanding performances at national or international standard.
Road Criteria
Upon submission of sufficient evidence to the MBC/WBC, a Full Blue may be awarded to an athlete who fulfils the Half Blue criteria AND achieves one of the following in the same season:
- Places within the top 5% at either BUCS 10 mile time trial, BUCS 25 mile time trial, BUCS Hill Climb or BUCS road race.
- Wins the BUCS 3-person team time trial.
- Places within the top 10% at a National B Road Race or National A Circuit event.
For Men, upon submission of sufficient evidence to the MBC, a Half Blue may be awarded to an athlete who fulfils all of the following criteria in a single academic year:
- Competes within the Varsity Match AND
- Places within the top 6 fastest Cambridge riders in the Varsity Team and records a time under 1 h 0 min AND
- Places within the top 30% at a BUCS cycling event, the discipline of which must be declared to the committee prior to participation in the athlete’s first BUCS cycling within the same academic year.
For Women, upon submission of sufficient evidence to the WBC, a Half Blue may be awarded to an athlete who fulfils one of the following criteria in a single academic year:
- Places within the top 3 fastest riders in the Varsity Team and records a time under 1 hour 10 minutes OR,
- Competes within the Varsity Match and places within the top 30% at a BUCS cycling event.
Exceptional performances in other disciplines may be eligible for extraordinary full blues, and may be placed before the men's and women's blues committees, at the Captains' discretion.
Note, prior to 2024 the criteria were:
For men, a half blue is awarded to someone in the Varsity Team (top 3 riders in the Varsity Match), who is also within the top 6 riders in the Varsity Match (including Cambridge and Oxford riders). A full blue is awarded to someone who, in addition to the above criteria, achieves within the season two sub-54 minute 25 mile time trials, and a top 50 placing in a national competition (such as the National 25).
For women, a half blue is awarded for a finish in the top 3 from Cambridge in the Varsity Match, provided course is completed in sub 1:10'00". Full blues are awarded to those who attain half blue criteria and two 25 mile time trials in under 1 hour and top 40% in a national time trial. For road, track and cyclocross: HB status as above + Top 20% in national championships for given discipline OR finish within the top 50 of the national rider rankings for the same discipline.
Further, prior to 2011 the women's criteria was as follows: A half blue is awarded for someone in the Varsity Team (top 3 riders in the Varsity Match), who also completes the course in 1 hour 15 minutes or less. A full blue is awarded to someone who places on the podium at the Varsity Match, places within the top 20% at a national time trial and either achieves within the season two sub-1 hour 25 mile time trials or places on the podium in the BUCS 10mi TT. Alternatively, a full blue may be achieved in road, track or cyclocross by placing within the top 20% in the discipline's national championships or finishing the season within the top 50 in the discipline's national rider rankings.
Mountain Bike Criteria
The men's mountain biking criteria were lost when the blues criteria were moved online in 2019. The criteria are currently being updated.
Prior to 2019, the mountain bike criteria for men were: a half blue is awarded to someone in the Varsity Team (top 3 Cambridge riders), who is also within the top 6 riders in the Varsity Match (including Cambridge and Oxford riders), and achieves a top 20 place in the championship category of the BUCS XC championships in the same year. If this second criterion is not achieved, a top 15 placing in the sport category in a round of the British Mountain Bike Race Series, or holding a valid Expert or Elite licence will qualify.
For women, a half blue is awarded in mountain biking for coming in the top 3 overall in the Varsity Match, plus either top 5 in BUCS XC or top 3 in a National Series Sport race.
