How Young Cyclists Develop Into Major Competitors

Have you ever watched bike racing, either in the Olympics or the Tour de France, and wonder how the cyclists got to be where they are? Kids where I live have all sorts of opportunities to play baseball and soccer, etc. in little league programs and then on through well-defined tracks that carry them through high school and college and into the pros if they have the talent and desire. But how does it work if you're a kid who seems to have some talent for cycling? How does a boy or girl go from willing local races as a twelve or fourteen year old, to competing at the highest stage of international competition?

USA Cycling posted a pretty interesting article recently about a talent identification and development camp it held this month for cyclists age 14-18 in Colorado Springs. 34 road and mountain bikers with demonstrated success at the local level spent a week working through a variety of activities and exercises to measure and track their fitness levels, and training on several elements to becoming successful cyclists at the next level.

All countries serious about their cycling run similar camps; this interesting article will give you an idea about how promising cyclists are spotted early on and groomed for eventual positions on national and international teams.

Read the whole article

Did you ever want to race when you were growing up but just not know how to get started? Comment below.

Image: Road cyclists receive instruction on a skills assessment exercise immediately before the ride. Photo - USA Cycling