New Partnership Created to Support USA Cycling’s Athlete Development Efforts
Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 10, 2009)—USA Cycling announced today two new partners in its mission to develop future professional cyclists, welcoming long-time management companies Highroad Sports and Slipstream Sports as key supporters of the USA Cycling National Development Team.
As the business structures behind Team Columbia-Highroad and Garmin-Slipstream – the United States’ only UCI ProTour squads – both organizations are significant advocates of development initiatives and have a strong history of supporting young American riders. The newly-created partnership marks the next step in the evolution of USA Cycling’s European-based programs and represents a substantial investment by the Amercian professional cycling industry to ensure that the U.S. continues to produce future generations of international cycling stars.
Created in 1999, the USA Cycling National Development Team is celebrating its tenth year of providing promising young American athletes with extended exposure to European racing – a crucial factor in the successful development of junior and U23 riders. During this time, the program has provided the support, experience and instruction necessary to make the successful transition to a professional career for a remarkable number of American riders. Based at its headquarters in Izegem, Belgium and managed by former Belgian pro Noel Dejonckheere, the program is structured to give young cyclists the opportunity to race in the world’s most competitive cycling environment where the fields are larger and more aggressive, the speed is faster and the courses are technically more demanding than in America.
“During the past decade, our men’s and women’s development programs have been a key component in the tremendous influx of American cyclists into the professional ranks,” commented USA Cycling chief executive officer Steve Johnson. “These programs are paying tremendous dividends, having produced numerous Olympians, Olympic and world championship medalists, Tour de France stage winners and many of the sports’ future stars. Our European-based development efforts are some of the most successful programs in the history of USA Cycling, and the support of Highroad and Slipstream will allow us to continue that trend and build on our current momentum.”
The inclusive nature of the USA Cycling National Development Team annually provides dozens of developmental riders with the chance to compete in Europe for extended periods. Throughout the last 10 years, the program has facilitated the pro careers of many, including 16 current or former UCI ProTour team athletes and countless Pro Continental and Continental team professional riders. As part of this program, USA Cycling works closely with various domestic-based junior and U23 programs to provide international racing experience for athletes who primarily race domestically with their trade teams.
“Slipstream Sports was founded to foster the next generation of American cycling champions, so we are incredibly proud to support USA Cycling’s development program in partnership with Highroad,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports. “Several of our athletes, including Christian Vande Velde, David Zabriskie, Danny Pate, Will Frischkorn, Timmy Duggan, Steven Cozza and Tyler Farrar have had the benefit of working with USA Cycling as young Americans, and that is a tradition we will continue through this new relationship.”
“High Road Sports is focused on developing young athletes into the future leaders of the sport, and we are excited to support the future of American cycling through this powerful partnership,” said Bob Stapleton, owner of Highroad Sports. “More than half of the athletes on Team Columbia-Highroad are under 26 years of age and are enjoying personal growth and success. The majority of victories so far this year have come from our youngest athletes including Edvald Boasson Hagen, Frantisek Rabon and of course Mark Cavendish. We look forward to working with USA Cycling in their mission to guide young American athletes to grow from aspiring amateurs to top-level professionals.”
This Saturday’s U23 Tour of Flanders in Belgium marks the first major international race for the USA Cycling National Development Team since the added support of Slipstream and Highroad. The roster includes Chris Barton (Ojai, Calif./BMC Racing), Austin Carroll (Orange, Calif./BMC Racing), Kirk Carlsen (Boulder, Colo./Holowesko Partners-Felt), Cole House (Oneida, Wis./BMC Racing), Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo./Trek-LIVESTRONG) and Bjorn Selander (Hudson, Wis./Trek-LIVESTRONG). Additionally, a group of 17- and 18-year-olds will open the junior calendar with the four-day Ster Zuid van Limberg stage race in the Netherlands, April 10-13. USA Cycling’s roster for that event includes Alex Battles-Wood (Tulsa, Ok./Power Train), Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn./Hot Tubes), Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes), Adam Leibovitz (Indianapolis, Ind./Nuvo Cultural Trail), Connor O’Leary (Salt Lake City, Utah/FFKR Architects-SportsBaseOnline) and Jacob Rathe (Portland, Ore./CMG Racing).
Contact: Andy Lee (Tel.) 719.434.4272 (Mobile) 719.231.2041 (E-mail) alee@usacycling.org (Website) www.usacycling.org
