European U23 Development Program Looks Promising - bmwcycling
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19 Nov European U23 Development Program Looks Promising

Posted at 06:46h in Featured, Racing by

Mike Greer Homes Womens Cycling are always looking at ways to build and improve on the international opportunities offered in our U23 development program. This initially utilised racing in the Oceania region at such events as the Oceania Road Cycling Championships and the Australian NRS. Over the past two years our drive for improved opportunities has seen an expansion of our race calendar into the North American criterium and road racing scene. This has included attendance at events such as Tour Of America’s Dairylands, BC Superweek, and the Intelligentsia Cup.

In 2019 we are looking to lift the bar further by providing a schedule of racing that will provide a more testing and visible platform for our riders to develop and then expose their talents to both UCI teams and national selectors. To do so we have planned a program in the heart of cycle racing – Europe!


Racing in Europe has always had a certain mystique about it and will provide racing that is more intense and testing than our riders have experienced before. By creating our campaign that will manage and provide a positive development and supporting environment we aim to provide a significant learning opportunity alongside some exciting and testing racing. This will better equip our riders to succeed and flourish when moving from junior racing onto an U23 environment, and then the professional elite ranks.


The brief European race experience several of our riders have had to date has shown that physically our riders are ready for the challenge. It has also helped us identify the need to learn and build on the technical and tactical aspects of racing at, and near, the top level that is unable to be provided closer to home.

We have an exciting mix of U23 riders that have submitted expressions of interest in this campaign already. With a mix of climbers, sprinters, and power riders all with a passion to extend their cycling to the next level and a desire to learn. We have identified and implemented a great leadership team that will help the youngest riders adapt to this style of racing and cope with the demands of international racing and living.

Off the bike we will provide a supportive environment for the team to learn how to live and race away from home, and in Europe. Our #MentorToSucceeed program will utilise the knowledge, experience, and connections of those that have done it before and introduce the experience positively to our riders. Relationships established through our riders with Watersley Sports & Talentpark, the Watersley R&D International Womens Cycling Team, DS Tjarco have already helped us considerably.

In addition the support we have had from race organisers has far exceeded our initial expectations, who have been incredibly helpful supportive of involving a New Zealand trade team in their race plans. As a result of this support we have a number of entries for UCI level single day and tour events either confirmed or to be confirmed in the near future. Our proposed schedule will offer a thorough mix of racing terrains for our riders, from windswept flats to punchy bergs and substantial climbs over surfaces ranging from smooth tarmac through to infamous sections of cobbles.

Proposed Campaign Schedule

  • 23/5/2019 Arrive Zurich, Switzerland
  • 26/5/2019 SwissEver GP Cham-Hagendorn UCI 1.2 Switzerland
  • 27/5/2019 Travel to Watersley Sports And Talentpark Accomodation, Limburg, Netherlands
  • 8/6/2019 Salverda Omloop van de IJsseldelta UCI 1.2 Netherlands
  • 9/6/2019 Dwars door de Westhoek UCI 1.1 Belgium
  • 16/6/2019 SPAR Flanders Diamond Tour UCI 1.1  Belgium
  • 1/6/2019 to 6/7/2019 Club kermesse and crits as required
  • 7/7/2019 Travel to Czech Republic
  • 11-14/7/2019 Tour de Feminin Tour UCI 2.2 Czech Republic
  • 15/7/2019 Travel back to NZ

 

Proposed Team Base Details

  • Watersley Sports & Talentpark
    • Limburg Netherlands
    • Home To Watersley R&D International Womens Cycling Team
    • Home to several UCI registered teams
    • Transport hire
    • Race support hire
    • Local source of support/guidance
    • Great local riding including Tom Dumoulin Bike Park

 

Support Team

  • Switzerland
    • Jordan Gilmore
    • Patrick Harvey
    • Tammy Harvey
  • Netherlands / Belgium
    • Jordan Gilmore
    • TBC
  • Czech Republic
    • TBC
    • TBC

 

We would personally like to thank Marion Petit from Watersley Sports And Talentpark and Tjarco Cuppens from Watersley R&D International Womens Team for the enthusiasm and substantial support that they have provided to date. Turning our ambitious plans into a reality would not have been possible without their assistance and guidance.

Watch this space as more details come to hand and information on how you can help this become a successful campaign and possibly be involved in the start of something big in the development of NZ Women Road Cyclists.

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