USA Cycling has launched Search for Speed, a talent identification program in “diverse and underrepresented communities” in Los Angeles, with the goal of producing cyclists who can make it to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The scheme has been supported by the Rapha Foundation, which supports cycling initiatives around the world, and was launched in Santa Monica, where Look Cycle and Watt Bike provided equipment.
“Our goal with Search for Speed is to reach out to local Los Angeles communities and introduce them to the wonders of track cycling, particularly sprint track cycling,” said USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk.
“We’re looking for kids who are exceptional athletes in more traditional sports, like soccer, basketball, soccer, and expose them to bike racing.”
In the initial phase, participants were given two minutes to warm up on a Watt Bike before a six-second all-out power test.
“The Search for Speed project is at the heart of our partnership with USA Cycling and finding new athletes and improving their performance is in Wattbike’s DNA,” said Wattbike CEO Richard Baker.
After the test, each athlete was given a report card that compared her results to those of members of the US national team.
The results were also placed on a digital leaderboard and participants were given information on how to continue cycling. More than a dozen test sessions will take place in the coming months.
“We are excited to be a part of this effort to bring cycling to diverse and underrepresented communities, providing unprecedented opportunities for young talent to become tomorrow’s champions and perhaps an Olympic medalist,” added Look’s CEO. Cycle, Federico Musi.
USA Cycling hopes to have more than 700 trial participants in 2023. Those who successfully go through the scheme will be invited to the national training headquarters at the VELO Sports Center.
Source: Philip Barker at www.insidethegames