The step-by-step pathway clearly defines the funnel to the National Team.
January 24, 2023 / COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – With a focus on grassroots and development in 2023, USA Cycling has unified their pipeline into one cohesive funnel called the Athlete Development Pathway.
The Athlete Development Pathway (ADP) provides development opportunities for athletes to reach their full potential at the National Team level. Young athletes, at any level, can enter the path at any time during their racing career and can find a place where they can progress. Each level is designed to provide the most pertinent education and development opportunities for an athlete to be best equipped to further their career to the next level.
“After running successful pilot programs like the Olympic Development Academy, we knew there was a need for race-support programs, but there also needed to be more steps in the pathway,” said Alec Pasqualina, Director of Athlete Development Pathways. “We have seen a huge success with Regional Camps in the past, but those had been on pause since the COVID pandemic. We are excited to bring back a full schedule for Road, Mountain Bike, and Cyclocross as well as Day Camps and a new digital talent identification tool.”
This new structure provides athletes the foundation they need to take the next step in their development as a cyclist.
The Athlete Development Pathway includes four main pillars:
- Day Camps – USA Cycling will hold Day Camps in conjunction with popular local junior events to provide basic coaching and education for athletes and parents about development and race opportunities. Coming Fall 2023.
- Talent Identifier – A power profile submission tool to help identify upcoming cycling talent nationwide. Connect your TrainingPeaks athlete account to our Talent ID coach account to be discovered by USA Cycling. Coming Spring 2023 (Eligible for Ages 15-30).
- Regional Camps – Regional Camps are a crucial step within the development pathway. Accessible and attainable to all athletes, aspiring junior cyclists can join a regional camp to improve their skills, receive the same coaching as elite athletes, and be identified for further race opportunities with USA Cycling. Registration is now open for select camps: Mountain Bike | Road
- European Race Camps – The European Race Camp will give athletes an opportunity to learn hands-on in Europe, the epicenter of cycling. Athletes will train under the guidance of top coaches and experience iconic races and courses. Athletes will be immersed in complete education sessions in strength training, skills, nutrition, tactics, sports psychology and more. Registration is now open for select camps: Mountain Bike | Road
Subscribe to our Athlete Development Pathway email list to be the first to know about new development camps and opportunities that are added to the schedule.
For more information, contact Alec Pasqualina at apasqualina@usacycling.org.
ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. USA Cycling’s mission is to grow participation and engagement with the sport of bicycle racing and achieve sustained international success across all cycling disciplines. USA Cycling supports cyclists of all levels and abilities, from those just beginning in the sport to international caliber athletes. The organization identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition through the support of youth and interscholastic programs, amateur and grassroots bike racing events, athlete development programs, and operational support for cycling clubs, racing teams, and event organizers. USA Cycling has a membership of 80,000, sanctions over 2,500 events annually, and is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
