USA Cycling unveils step-by-step pathway for hopefuls wishing to race for Team USA

The Athlete Development Pathway is meant to serve as a clearly defined funnel to international success

Riders of Team USA on a training ride
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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The American cycling governing body, USA Cycling, today unveiled its Athlete Development Pathway (ADP), a clearly defined, step-by-step process for those wishing to race for Team USA.

Based on previous pilot programs like the Olympic Development Academy, ADP is focused on development and meant to educate athletes and parents alike about the opportunities available to them on their journey from local results to international achievement.

Available for both road and mountain bike racing, the pathway consists of four steps: Day Camps, Talent Identifiers, Regional Camps, the Team USA Development Team and European Race Camps. 

Talent identification will be done, in part, with the introduction of a power profile submission tool. To be discovered by USA Cycling, athletes ages 15 through 30 can opt to connect their TrainingPeaks account with that of a USA Cycling Talent ID coach. 

And as the final step in the process, European Race Camps will give those with WorldTour aspirations an opportunity to race in the epicenter of cycling. For a three-week block athletes will train under the guidance of top coaches and experience iconic races and courses. An immersive experience, the education includes all the foundations of elite competition including strength training, skills, nutrition, tactics, sports psychology and more. 

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Anne-Marije Rook
Anne-Marije Rook
North American Editor

Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. She holds a degree in journalism and started out as a newspaper reporter — in print! She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference.

Originally from the Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon, she became a full-time cycling journalist. She's now been a journalist for two decades, including 12 years in cycling.