Slipstream Junior Development Team

Jonathan Vaughters founded the Slipstream team in 2003 as a junior development squad. The team quickly moved up to the professional ranks and operates today as Slipstream Sports, which runs the Garmin-Cervélo pro squads and the UCI Continental development team. 2011 marks the return of the team to a year-round program of junior development similar to when Vaughters began the team with the Slipstream Junior Development team.

The racing program is set with development in mind to prepare riders for national and international competition with a three-pronged goal. In equal parts, the team develops riders to succeed in a team setting, be ready for higher level competition and enjoy the process along the way.

The Slipstream Junior Development team has a full time director, Christian Williams, and coach to help guide its riders through the junior ranks towards elite level competition. While aiming to get the best results possible, more importance is placed on how each rider performs and the process of improving as an athlete. The team schedule is such that it provides opportunities to truly develop a rider who has the work ethic, talent and demeanor to race at the upper levels of the sport. And this focus isn’t only on the bike. The team works with the young riders on how to present themselves off of the bike as well.

The team fully recognizes that these are junior athletes, and the reality is they are at a time when life-long memories are made. The team goal is to challenge the riders, but along the way, have a rewarding overall experience that they can take with and benefit them in adulthood.