Equipment, clothing, bicycle, guidance and the chance to potentially race with the Elite team; the Exergy Development Group has announced plans to give these as part of some welcome support to six young female riders in 2012, aiming to boost their progress in the sport.
The group includes riders such as the junior world scratch race champion Jennifer Valente, who recently won a gold medal in the Scratch race and a bronze medal in the keirin at the Junior World Championships in Moscow. While she’s still a junior rider, she is currently one of the sprinters training full time with Jamie Staff, USA Cycling’s sprint coach, and is aiming for slots on the USA Elite team at track World Cups and the 2012 world championships.
“Racing with Team Exergy TWENTY12 will be a new experience for me and I look forward to it," said Valente, who mainly targets track events but will also compete in several criteriums. “I'm thrilled to be supported by one of the top women's professional teams.”
The other supported riders are the junior national champions Sarah Huang and Tara McCormick plus the promising Kayla Sterling and Maddy Tuggle. The criteria in selecting the quintet were that they should be athletes with potential for junior and world championships.
The sixth rider is far younger, being just nine years of age. Veronica Church has raised over $13,000 thus far for a Minnesota charity that assists children with cancer, and wants to win the Minnesota state road race and time trial championships for 10 to 14 year olds.
Nicola Cranmer, Exergy TWENTY12 General Manager and Owner explained the thinking behind the project. “This is an exciting time for myself and business partner Kristin Armstrong,” she said. “With the tremendous support from Exergy Development Group we are able to activate several initiatives. Junior development has always been a part of our program, it’s critical to support the next generation of athletes.
“As well as a fantastic mentor program, I believe we have the best equipment and clothing sponsors and we wanted to offer the athletes the best opportunity possible that will give them the edge. These young athletes will use Felt bicycles, SRAM components, Zipp wheels bars, stems and seatposts, SRM systems, Speedplay pedals and Pearl Izumi clothing. These companies and our contributing partners all support the mission of junior development.”
Also involved is Cari Higgins. She’s aiming to make the Olympic selection for the Team Pursuit team, but still has time and energy to help developing riders. “I am passionate about working with juniors and helping develop champions on and off the bike,” stated the multi Pan Am medallist and national champion.
Two time Elite national champion Jessica Van Garderen (Phillips) will be another assisting with the Exergy TWENTY12 junior program. Recently wed to top US male rider Tejay Van Garderen, she will act as director on the road for several races with the development squad in the US, as well as closely mentoring several of the younger athletes.
Cramer has helped in developing other young riders, taking Coryn Rivera onto the team three years ago and helping her to develop. She remains part of the setup and is one of the USA’s top young talents. Kaitie Antonneau will also be part of the squad; the team states that one or two more collegiate athletes will be invited in the next few months.
For the junior riders, Cranmer and Higgins are seeking to boost their development in a number of ways. A team statement said that they have “put together a program that will include monthly webinars, one-on-one mentorship, road racing opportunities with the elite team, and a team pursuit program developing the next generation for the 2016 Olympics and beyond.”
What’s clear is that the efforts should boost the chances of the riders involved to progress to the next level in the sport.
Exergy TWENTY12 has provided the following details about its elite Junior Athletes:
Jennifer Valente: 17-18, San Diego, CA
Goals for 2012- Make World Cup team and Olympic Track Sprint Team.
Most admired cyclist - "Any elite athlete that is fully dedicated to success and can also give back to their sport."
Tara McCormick: 17-18, Long Beach, CA
Goals for 2012- Podium in all three events at Junior Road Nationals and Junior Track Nationals and make the Junior Worlds team in both track and road.
Most admired Cyclist - Sarah Hammer
Kayla Sterling:17-18, Allen, Texas
Goals for 2012- Race at a professional level. Win the Junior National Road TT Championship.
Most admired cyclist - Kristin Armstrong
Madison Tuggle: 17-18, Littleton, CO
Goals for 2012 – Podium at each Nationals events she competes in and make the Junior Track Worlds team.
Most admired athlete - Cari Higgins
Sarah Huang: 17-18, Kenosha, WI
Goals for 2012- Make the Junior Road Worlds team and race in Europe.
Most admired athlete - Katie Compton
Veronica Church: 9 -10, Owatonna, MN
Goals for 2012- Win MN State RR and TT 10-14. Raise $10,000 for kids with cancer.
Most admired cyclist - Kristin Armstrong