Devo Wrap: U23 rookie camp and UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup highlight week

It's been a long, but productive winter for the riders of the USA Cycling National Development Program. As the calendar threatens to flip to February and cyclo-cross season winds down, the road season is on the verge of beginning in earnest. A group of nine U23 riders traveled to Colorado Springs for a rookie camp while a small group of junior riders contested the last UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup race in the Netherlands.

U23

Jos Chalmers undergoing the VO2 test during the U23 Rookie Camp. (Photo by Casey Gibson)
Jos Chalmers undergoing the VO2 test during the U23 Rookie Camp. (Photo by Casey Gibson)
A group of nine U23 riders participated in a rookie camp at the USA Cycling facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., from Jan. 18-23. The five-day camp rarely saw the riders on their bikes, but rather in classroom settings and Olympic testing facilities.

"It was pretty interesting seeing behind the curtain, and really seeing how few people there are that work at USA Cycling," Kristo Jorgenson said of the tour of the USA Cycling offices. "I've gained a new respect for the work done by everybody there."

During the course of the camp, the riders went to the Olympic Training Center and underwent testing. They had a VO2 test, which measures an individual's capacity to transport and use oxygen during incremental exercise. On the second, third and fourth days, the riders enjoyed various classroom sessions learning about money management, insurance, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, nutrition and food preparation, grocery shopping and media training.

The group discussing media training with USA Cycling Director of Communications Andrea Smith. (Photo by Casey Gibson)
The group discussing media training with USA Cycling Director of Communications Andrea Smith. (Photo by Casey Gibson)
As would be expected, the riders offered differing opinions on the most useful parts of the camp.

"As far as the most useful part of camp, that had to be the meetings with (Vice President of Athletics) Jim (Miller), Marcello (Albasini), and (Program and Operations Manager) Andrew (Hawkes) about selections for the U23 program and how exactly the schedule works," Robin Carpenter said. "Previously everything seemed like a mysterious black hole that talented riders just appeared out of. Now the process is much clearer."

"The part of the camp that I took the most away from was probably the cooking and learning about nutrition," Paul Lynch said. "This was because I am now living on my own and have very little experience cooking my own meals. Now I can use the tips that I was taught right away and for as long as I am cooking."

Check out a photo gallery of the U23 Rookie Camp.

Below is a list of the nine riders who took part in the rookie camp.

Robin Carpenter (Philadelphia, Pa./Chipotle Development Team)
Jos Chalmers (Indian Harbour Beach, Fla./ZMOTION Racing)
Daniel Eaton (Mesa, Ariz./Strada Racing Club)
Eamon Franck (Fremont, Calif./California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized)
Jesse Goodrich (Louisville, Colo./juwi solar)
Kristo Jorgenson (Boise, Idaho/Volkswagen Boise)
Paul Lynch (Colchester, Conn./Team Type 1 Sanofi)
Anders Newbury (Fairfield, Vt./Chipotle Development Team)
Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa./BikeReg.com-Cannondale)

Junior Men

Richard Cypress Gorry and Andrew Dillman talking about their race in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. (Photo by Bart Hazen)
Richard Cypress Gorry and Andrew Dillman talking about their race in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. (Photo by Bart Hazen)
USA Cycling sent a group of three junior riders to Hoogerheide, Netherlands on Jan. 22 for the final UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup of the season. In the race's results, Curtis White (Delanson, N.Y./Clif Bar Development Cyclo Cross Team) registered the best finish of the group, placing 22nd, 3:19 behind the winner Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands). Andrew Dillman (Fairdale, Ky./Bob's Red Mill) and Richard Cypress Gorry (Payson, Ariz./Whole Athlete-Specialized) finished 32nd and 34th, respectively.

In the final UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup rankings, Dillman and White finished 33rd and 42nd, respectively, after four UCI World Cup races.
 

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.

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 January 24, 2012 @ 03:21 PM For more information contact: