Special news feature, October 11, 2004

Specialized boosts sponsorship for USA Cycling

Deal to lift U23 road program in Europe, help secure naming-rights sponsor

By Gerard Knapp in Las Vegas

Specialized's bike sponsorship of the US U23 squad should lead to a naming-rights sponsor in 2005
Photo ©: Jonathan Devich

The major sponsorship announcement by Specialized at Interbike was not a big Division 1 or 'Pro Tour' team (the 2005 deal with German division 1 squad Gerolsteiner had been announced before Interbike) , but rather, a massive expansion of its support for the USA Cycling (USAC) rider development program. Gerard Knapp reports.

In a deal covering 2005 to 2008, the company will be providing bikes and related cycling equipment to the U23 road squad, as well as its track, cyclo-cross and MTB riders. This program follows on from its support this year of the USAC MTB development squad.

At a press conference at Interbike, USAC's director of athletics, Steve Johnson, said the association with Specialized should also assist USAC secure a naming-rights sponsor for the U23 road team in 2005.

"We hope to have the support of a title sponsor by the end of the year," he said. Further, the provision of all the bikes and related cycling equipment from Specialized should allow the USAC to devote more funds towards the actual men's U23 race program, and provide more riders with the experience of competing in Europe.

The USAC currently operates a development program in Belgium for U23 riders, where it has a guesthouse for the visiting riders and support staff, but Johnson believes it is under-funded compared to the programs operated by Italy, Belgium and Australia.

"They all have massive programs to support up and coming riders in this age group," he said. "And their results - both at the Olympic and Pro Tour level - clearly shows they get that return on their investment. Now, with this partnership, USA Cycling has a comparable program for the first time."

He estimated the USAC has "about one-third" of the budget of the widely-acknowledged Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) U23 men and elite women's programs, based in Italy and managed by Brian Stephens and Warren McDonald, respectively. When pressed for an actual figure, Johnson claimed this translated to "about one-third of a million [dollars]".

The pro peloton is littered with former riders from Stephens' U23 AIS men's squad, such as 2003/04 world time trial champion, Michael Rogers, while the AIS elite women's team has dominated the season, securing the Athens Olympics road race gold medal for Sara Carrigan and the 2004 World Cup for Oenone Wood.

It's understood that the USAC's association with the T-Mobile women's cycling team in the USA will not continue in 2005. However, Johnson did not outline any specific plans for a women's program in Europe next year.

But for the young men, at least, the future is looking brighter, particularly if they are willing to adjust to living in Europe and "being away from mom", as Johnson put it.

TIAA-CREF aiming big in 2005
Photo ©: Beth Seliga

For example, the U23 development squad set up in the USA late last year by former Credit Agricole professional rider, Jonathan Vaughters, sponsored by the finance company TIAA-CREF, is significantly ramping up its program for 2005. This Colorado-based team has had a full program in the USA professional racing calendar, under the guidance of Vaughters. (note: Cyclingnews is a supporting sponsor of the TIAA-CREF squad - see section.)

Easing the transition

"Traditionally, the transition from the domestic to the European race scene has been very difficult for American riders," Johnson said. "The U23 program is designed to be the bridge between the men's domestic and European pelotons, and facilitate the transition of our most talented riders into the top levels of professional bike racing."

Next year, Johnson expects that there will be "five to seven" riders forming the core of the U23 program, with opportunities for another 15 to 25 riders to make the trip across to Belgium and experience racing in the European espoir scene.

Speaking at the press conference, top USA pro rider Levi Leipheimer said that the program will be critical for providing young road riders with the experience of racing in Europe. When he was a developing rider, he took the plunge on his own and backed his own program, racing in Belgium and learning the hard way. He said it would have been made considerably easier had he the opportunity to be part of this USAC program. "All the races are close together, the depth is greater, fields are bigger. Everything about it is just better," he said.

While the roadies will look to Europe to further their development, the MTB riders will focus on all NORBA and UCI-level MTB races in North America, but they will also be able to spend up to three weeks racing in Europe. No details were disclosed about the respective track or cyclo-cross programs.

Top USA rider in Verona, David Zabriskie
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman

The USA's U23 program in Belgium has included riders such as Dave Zabriskie (fifth in the individual time trial at the 2004 World Road Championships) and Mike Creed, both now riding for the US Postal Service team, while Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole Espoirs), Tyler Farrar (Health Net) and Patrick McCarty have all been based in Belgium under the program.

"Developing young talent ensures that American riders will become an even stronger force," said Specialized president Mike Sinyard.

His company will provide a significant quantity of equipment from existing lines, while the sponsorship agreement could also see the development and release of a new model for the cyclo-cross market. The road riders will receive a mix of carbon-fibre and aluminium bikes, such as the high-end composite Tarmac, the MTB riders will continue to use the Epic dual suspension MTB, and the track riders will have two models available under the program.

Sean McLaughlin, responsible for global marketing at the company, said the track bikes only vary in the frame material and are of the same geometry, in that there are not different frames available for the sprinters and endurance riders.

He said the 'cross bike will be a special project for the US operation and may become a commercial product in the future.

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