Monday, April 29, 2013

The Importance of Junior/U23 Euro Trips

The junior and U23 Euro racing trips are the key to American rider development. Even though US based racing is excellent racing, with a lot of quality races and riders, gong to Europe is more than learning to ride. It is about overall development as riders and as people. Young riders will learn how to be professional riders step by step instead of being thrown into the "deep end" as older riders. In order to race effectively, a rider needs to learn to take baby steps as a junior, progressing slowly in difficulty and distance and time spent away from home. It takes a special rider to just go to Europe and race and live full time and not be snagged by the normal pitfalls that can hold a rider back from reaching their potential; pitfalls like homesickness, physical sickness, loneliness and depression. These are normal and every American rider fights these obstacles if they choose to race at the highest level. In addition, again recognizing that American has great races, not many European team know American racing. That makes it difficult for those team to judge if a riders has the skills to move to the next level. The only way for American riders to show the European team they can compete, are worth the investment, is to go and race in front of them. And be assured it is an investment on every level that will be based on sound business decisions.
USA Cycling has created programs that assume all the costs to take riders to Europe. Cost that can reach $30,000 per rider per year. They have the infrastructure. They have the contacts and they have the 15 year track record of competing on the European Continent. How many American pro or amateur team can say they invest that kind of money in a single rider for such an extended period of time. Considering the cost for an American rider to travel to even a medium size regional race, the cost to participate in the USA Cycling programs is significantly less...for some that cost is 0 for races that are bigger and better at every level. 
If a riders earns his or her way into the 15-16 program and progresses all the way through the U23 program, then that rider will have almost 10 years of racing on the same roads and races that the biggest European pros do. That is huge and levels the playing field significantly. That can easily close the gap from making it to not making it.
So get on the phone and get on the email and get on your bike and fight your way into these programs. These are the path to the pros...the one true path.
--
Michael Sayers
Head Coach USA Cycling U23 Program

Monday, April 22, 2013

Spring Break

     For the past two years, just before the San Dimas Stage race, my mom and I have travelled to Mexico for spring break.  Last year we went to Cabo San Lucas and this year we went to Puerto Vallarta. Going to Puerto Vallarta took my mind off racing, allowed my legs to recover and spend time with my mother.  We did all kinds of activities like snorkling, paddle boarding, canoeing. When we were snorkling we saw all kinds of fish that you don't normally see. The water was so warm and clear it made snorkling just that much more enjoyable. Canoeing was also great, the water was very calm.  Canoeing was very relaxing and fun.  Now paddling boarding was very fun, but also very difficult.  You have to have alot of balance just to stand on the board while the water is flowing beneath you but you also have to balance while paddling which is such a big challenge. The resort had some of the best foods, one of my favorites was the duck they served. And since it was an all inclusive resort we ate our fair share.
     We also went out into the surrounding area to see the sights. To my surprise being all that way from home what did we run into?  a Wallmart and Sam's Club!  Well I guess you just can't get away from some things. We went to the souvenir marts, we bought tee shirts for my Dad, and Step Dad, and other nice things to bring back for family.  We were able to get out and meet the people, who were very kind and nice to us.
    In closing I'm looking forward to next Spring break with my Mother because we always
have a great time when were together. Spending time with my parents is very important to me, because they are the greatest parents I could ever have. And spending time away from the bike did me some good, It allowed me to perform at my very best at San Dimas.


                                                                   See You next time Sean

Monday, April 15, 2013

Europe Trip

Early last week I returned from a two and a half week trip with USA Cycling to race in Northern Europe, cycling's homeland. Four other racers and I, all from different states and teams, raced four times. We raced throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. We were supposed to race five times but our first race got cancelled due to the horrendous weather conditions. We rode one criterium, in Roterdam, two kermesses, one in Rotselaar and one in Tienen, and the Haspengouw Tour which is a one day UCI race. In addition to the racing we rode in some amazing places including Valkenburg (where they held world championships last year) and parts of the Tour of Flanders course.

While we spent a lot of our time riding we also got the chance to sight see and visit many villages, towns and cities. We went to see the Tour of Flanders museum in Oudenaarde, got panekoeken (Dutch crepes) in Maastricht, and went shopping in Roermond. And on the last day of our trip we went to see Fabian Cancellara win Paris-Roubaix! From the caravan to the riders grimacing in pain, the experience was truly unforgettable. Watching a dust coated Sep Vanmarcke and Fabian float over the five-starred pavé sector at Carrefour was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

When we weren't out and about we enjoyed repeatedly watching the 6 or 7 episodes that make up the English TV. We got to know each other and the older riders who were over there with us. And even did our school work.

This trip taught me more than I could ever imagine. On the bike, I learned how important positioning and being aggressive is, from racing against 240 guys on single lane roads. Off the bike, I learned that everyone has something to teach you, whether that be something to mirror or something not to do.

I hope to return soon to do more racing and more learning. Thank you to Team Specialized and USA cycling for the support to make this amazing trip possible.

Jason S