National Development Program riders start European campaign in fine fashion

USA Cycling's National Development Program started its European road race season last weekend, fielding U23 teams at races in both Croatia and Belgium.

ROAD

USA Cycling sent a team of six riders to the Istrian Spring Trophy in Croatia from March 17-20. Overall, the United States placed fifth among 31 teams. The team was led by Larry Warbasse (Traverse City, Mich./BMC Racing Team) who placed seventh overall, just 1:24 off the lead. Gavin Mannion (Dedham, Mass./Trek-Livestrong) finished 40th, Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn./Trek-Livestrong) placed 46th, Ian Boswell (Bend, Ore./Trek-Livestrong) ranked 51st and Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Trek-Livestrong) finished 52nd.

Craddock started his first pro race strong, sprinting to a second-place finish in the prologue time trial which spanned 5.8 kilometers. Mannion (8) and Warbasse (10) also placed in the top 10 of the opening stage while Brown placed 16th.

More information from the Istrian Spring Trophy can be found here.

USA Cycling also sent a team to GP Wilfried Peeters in Belgium on March 20, where Eamon Franck (Pacific Grove, Calif./California Giant) had the best finish for the team, placing 14th. Marshall Opel (Whitefish, Mont./Team Hammer Nutrition) placed 78th, Nathan Geoffrion (Petaluma, Calif./Firefighters Cycling Association) finished 89th and Nate Wilson (Boulder, Colo./Univ. of Colo./California Giant) was 110th.

More information about the GP Wilfried Peeters can be found here.

COMING UP

The following four riders will continue to race in Europe with the USA Cycling National Development Program Team, at the GP Stan Waregem on March 23 and then at Aast-St. Truided on March 27.

Eamon Franck (Pacific Grove, Calif./California Giant)
Nate Geoffrion (Petaluma, Calif./Firefighters Cycling Association)
Marshall Opel (Whitefish, Mont./Team Hammer Nutrition)
Nate Wilson (Boulder, Colo./Univ. of Colo./California Giant)

 

 

Photos from top to bottom: Lawson Craddock placed second in the prologue to the Istrian Spring Trophy. (Photo by Marcello Albasini); Eamon Franck races in the GP Wilfried Peeters in Belgium on Sunday.

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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.