Ranks vs Categories explained

1. Ranks
   1. Rank list
   2. Rank upgrades
   3. Rank downgrades
2. Categories
   1. How do I know what category I am?
   2. I didn't race yet, but my category shows as 1 or -1
   3. Category downgrades and upgrades

# Ranks

Ranks were introduced by MyWhooshInfo so that every rider, every race could be categorized. The ranks are based on the rider's FTP during the last 3 months of history. The FTP that the rider has set up in-game is irrelevant to the ranking mechanism - we use the best 20-minute power times 0.95 to calculate the rank. Please note that power readings from events are included in the calculation. Efforts completed in free-ride do not count (and as of now cannot) toward the ranking calculation.

You can find your current Rank on your MyWhooshInfo Profile page, and the history of your Rank is kept next to each event that you participated in.

It is not possible to see the rider's Ranks in-game, and all the events are mass-start, meaning all Ranks start together, and you will only see the ranking after the event is finished and processed by MyWhooshInfo.

# Rank list

Most of the events, with the exception of premium events, are filterable by Rank. The filter is right above the result table. It shows the Ranks that were present in the race along with a number of participants in each Rank (as visible on the screenshot below):

# Rank upgrades

To upgrade into the next rank, one simply has to exceed one's current rank's upper threshold by performing better in any event. For example if you are now ranked as Expert and you complete a race with the best 20-minute power of 3.9wkg, you will be moved to Neo Pro because 3.9 * 0.95 = 3.705 which exceeds the lower threshold of 3.7 for the Neo Pro rank.

# Rank downgrades

Since we are using a 3-month sliding window to calculate the rank, it will take at least three months for one to be downgraded one rank lower.

# Categories

MyWhoosh uses categories for its premium events only. The categorization mechanism is unknown and does not seem to be set up just on power number, but also on the race-craft and your finishing position in your category. There are six categories, labeled simply 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, where CAT 1 is the highest category.

# How do I know what category I am?

You will not know until you sign up for some premium event for which you will need to complete the Power Passport Test first. Upon completing the PPT, you will need to upload a verification form and request categorization. And once you sign up for a premium event, such as the Sunday Race Club or MyWhoosh Championship, you will be categorized.

# I didn't race yet, but my category shows as 1 or -1

This is the default behaviour of MyWhoosh. Until you are categorized by MyWhoosh team, your category will default to 1. But you do not have to be afraid, you are most likely not going to end up in Cat 1.

# Category downgrades and upgrades

The upgrades and downgrades are performed by MyWhoosh racecontrol - they decide based on your performance in premium events if you should be moved up or down. Upgrade usually happens when you perform exceptionally well in your category (be that power-wise or placing-wise) for several weeks.