Devo Wrap: Swift Curran producing in Europe

The juniors riders in the USA Cycling National Development Program (NDP) continue to post stellar results against talented competition in prestigious European road races. Geoffrey Curran (Tustin, Calif./VRC-Get Crackin'), who last week won the yellow jersey at Tour du Pays de Vaud, produced a podium result in a race this week.

JUNIORS

Geoffrey Curran finished second at the 2013 Trofeo Karlsberg in Germany. (Photo by Billy Innes)

After a few days of rest in Aigle, Switzerland, a group of the USA Cycling juniors riders headed north to Germany to compete in Trofeo Karlsberg against some of the best juniors in the world. Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and France were represented by fresh squads with designs of collecting valuable UCI Nations Cup points.

Miguel Bryon (Miami, Fla./DCM Cycling Team) started the competition strong with fifth-place finishes in each of the first two stages. Geoffrey Curran (Tustin, Calif./VRC-Get Crackin') emerged as the top American in the overall standings following the stage 3a individual time trial. The hill time trial course lent itself to Curran's skills and he capitalized, finishing just two seconds behind the stage (and eventual race) winner Mads Pedersen (DEN). With a potential podium position on the line, the team switched gears to protect Curran through the remaining two stages.

Pedersen gained six seconds on Curran after the 79-kilometer road race capping the third stage. Bryon avoided crashing during some hectic riding to place tenth on the stage. The remaining four riders, Ansel Dickey (Truro, Mass./KMS-Start House Cycling Team), Philip O'Donnell (Suwanee, Ga./Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team), Justin Oien (Escondido, Calif./MRI Endurance Elite Juniors) and Brendan Rhim (Norwich, Vt./KMS-Start House Cycling Team), protected Curran throughout the day before finishing in a bunch.

The contingent posing for a photo in front of a castle in Vianden, Luxembourg. (Photo by Billy Innes)

The fourth stage of the race promised to be decisive as only 40 riders were able to complete the 100-kilometer road race in the 2012 edition of the race. The pack was slow to gain momentum. The Americans and British contingents tried their best to topple Pedersen from the top spot, but his Danish teammates were strong and kept bringing breakaways back into the fold. With two laps to go a substantial break went up the road, which had most of the general classification contenders. After about 20 kilometers, the breakaway was reeled in and the group prepared for a mass sprint. Pedersen won again as he was able to sprint around riders and raise his hands in victory. Curran finished the stage safely and secured second overall.

In addition to Curran's second-place finish, the USA Cycling squad placed third in the team classification, Bryon placed eighth in the sprints classification, Curran was seventh in the mountains competition and O’Donnell was 12th in the young rider competition.

In the general classification, Curran finished second, Oien was 20th, Rhim placed 23rd, Bryon was 26th, O’Donnell finished 40th and Dickey placed 54th.

Check out a photo gallery from the race.

COMING UP

U23
From June 7-9, the following group of U23 riders are slated to contest the Coupe des Nations Ville Saguenay in the province of Quebec, Canada:

Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn./Bontrager Cycling Team)
Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas/Bontrager Cycling Team)
Stephen Leece (San Luis Obispo, Calif./California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized)
Tyler Magner (Athens, Ga./Hincapie Sportswear Development Team)
Gavin Mannion (Dedham, Mass./Bontrager Cycling Team)
Tanner Putt (Park City, Utah/Bontrager Cycling Team)

From June 9-16, the group of U23 riders listed below are scheduled to compete in Internationale Thüringen-Rundfahrt U23 in Germany:

Alex Darville (Santa Barbara, Calif./Bontrager Cycling Team)
T.J. Eisenhart (Lehi, Utah/BMC Development Team)
Paul Lynch (Colchester, Conn./BMC Development Team)
Jeffrey Perrin (Lakewood, Colo./California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized)
Torey Philipp (El Dorado, Calif./California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized)
Tyler Williams (Shafter, Calif./BMC Development Team)

Juniors
The following juniors riders will be competing in two kermesses in the Netherlands this weekend:

Miguel Bryon (Miami, Fla./DCM Cycling Team)
Geoffrey Curran (Tustin, Calif./VRC-Get Crackin')
Ansel Dickey (Truro, Mass./KMS-Start House Cycling Team)
Philip O'Donnell (Suwanee, Ga./Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team)
Justin Oien (Escondido, Calif./MRI Endurance Elite Juniors)
Brendan Rhim (Norwich, Vt./KMS-Start House Cycling Team)

Want to be part of USA Cycling’s Development Program? The first step is getting on USA Cycling’s radar. One of the best ways to do this is by attending a USA Cycling Regional Talent Identification Camp. The primary goal of the Talent ID Camps is to recognize athletes who, at an early age, show signs of potential future success in cycling. Receiving instruction from some of USA Cycling’s finest coaches, the camps also provide the necessary framework to improve the athletes skill set thus progressing their talent development. In some cases, the Regional Talent ID Camps assist in selecting riders for international competition and/or a national development camp.

For more information and the full 2013 schedule of USA Cycling’s Regional Talent ID Camps, please click here.

USA Cycling's National Development Programs are supported by the USA Cycling Development Foundation. Support the future of American cycling with an online donation now.


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About USA Cycling’s National Development Programs
One of USA Cycling’s dual missions is to achieve sustained success in international cycling competition. To that end, USA Cycling maintains development programs for all disciplines of competitive cycling, including men’s and women’s U25 and junior road; mountain bike; track (endurance and sprint) and BMX development programs. These programs provide a structured pathway to the top tier of the sport through athlete development that begins with Junior racing series, Regional Development Camps and racing and moves through to international competition. For more about USA Cycling’s Athlete Development Programs, click here.

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This Article Updated June 6, 2013 @ 07:10 PM For more information contact:

Devo Wrap: Swift Curran producing in Europe

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