Warbasse finishes a strong seventh in Fleche du Sud

USA Cycling continued to give young riders opportunities to develop their skills last week as one group of U23 athletes contested the Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg and another group of U23 riders participated in a BMX development camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

ROAD

Larry Warbasse (shown here contesting the U23 Triptyque) placed seventh overall in the Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg. (Photo by Casey Gibson, www.cbgphoto.com)

A group of six of USA Cycling's U23 riders contested the Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg. Larry Warbasse (Traverse City, Mich./BMC Racing) posted the squad's best result, placing seventh in the final general classification. Jacob Rathe (Portland, Ore./Chipotle Development) placed 17th while Anders Newbury (Fairfield, Conn./Chipotle Development) was 23rd. Carson Miller (Bend, Ore./Jelly Belly p/b Kenda) and John Bennett (El Cerrito, Calif./California Giant) finished 55th and 56th, respectively.

Marcel DeLisser (Portland, Ore./Leucemie Espoir Quimper) also contested the race for USA Cycling.

Warbasse finished in the top 20 in two stages, including placing eighth in the penultimate stage. Rathe posted four top-20 stage results, including finishing sixth in the second stage.

BMX

A group of BMX riders participating in the U23 BMX Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. (Photo by Jeff Glynn)

The U23 BMX camp concluded with some highly competitive racing. Kory Cook (Tustin, Calif./Redman-Rockstar) and Jared Garcia (Victorville, Calif./Factory QSI BMX) stood out as Cook won the time trials with Garcia making a second-turn pass in the race for the win. After all of the points from the weekend were tallied, Cook emerged atop the board.

Among the women, Dani George (Palmdale, Calif./Factory Supercross) won the time trials and, along with Shelby Stacy (Bakersfield, Calif./Speed), dominated the motos. The main event Supercross race was a close until George suffered a mechanical issue allowing Ashley Verhagen (Simi Valley, Calif./Factory Crupi-Pro Gate) to swoop in for the win and top the women's points list for the weekend.

"I am very excited about the progression of our U23 riders at this point," Jeff Glynn, who managed the camp for USA Cycling, said. "Several riders have shown they have the skills to compete at the next level. These development camps have proven to be excellent tools in the continued development of our Junior Development Riders."

The following riders also participated in a U23 BMX Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., from Monday, June 6, until Sunday, June 12:

Women
Alaina Henderson (Ruby, N.Y./Felt Bicycles)
Baylie Kortman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Speed TLD)
Keely Kortman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Speed TLD)

Men
Kalvin Davis (Albuquerque, N.M./505 Racing)
Austin Hiatt (Fresno, Calif./SE Racing)
Josh Klatman (Port Orchard, Wash./Factory Crupi-Pro Gate)
Blake Paulson (Folsom, Calif./Factory Crupi-Pro Gate)
Zack VanKammen (Lake Elsinore, Calif.)

BOYS 15/16 EUROPEAN RACE CAMP APPLICATIONS

USA Cycling is currently taking applications for the two Boys 15/16 European Race Camps it will hold this summer. The first camp is scheduled for July 13-Aug. 1, and the second for Aug. 3-23. These camps offer learning opportunities for highly motivated young riders by exposing them to the subtleties and specific nuances of international competition and life in a foreign country. The camp schedules will include several one-day races in Belgium, as well as activities like bike handling drills, strategy sessions, general training rides, and exposure to cultural activities. The cost to attend a camp is $4200 and includes travel, housing, food, and incidental expenses. Only 12 riders will be selected for each camp, and competition is expected to be tough. Those interested in attending a camp have until midnight PST on June 25 to apply. For more information, or to apply, click here.

COMING UP

Much of America's top road racing talent will be competing in Augusta, Ga., at the USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships from June 22-27.

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.