DM Cycle Club Junior Program Continues to Grow!

Posted Dec 29, 2007
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The Des Moines Cycle Club Race Team looking for juniors interested in racing in 2008

For the second consecutive year, the Des Moines Cycle Club's junior racing program has been recognized by USA Cycling as a Center of Excellence for training bike racers. The recognition comes with a grant that will be used to buy additional equipment for the juniors as well as provide them with opportunities like attending the Midwest Regional Development Camp. Funded by the USA Cycling Development Foundation, the grants were awarded to programs that meet specific structural requirements as non-profit organizations governed by a board of directors with the potential and ability to develop athletes into international-level competitors. The list of recipients again includes several first-time winners along with programs who continue to be recognized for their efforts toward the development of young cyclists. Since the program’s inception five years ago, USA Cycling has distributed over $100,000 to grass roots development programs thanks to donations to the Development Foundation. Currently there are eight juniors signed with the Des Moines Cycle Club Race Team for the 2008 race season, but team director Randy Catron says the team could work with twice that number. "We're may be the only team in the United States with two Level 1 cycling coaches, and in addition to that, we have a number of experienced riders who are ready to help the juniors learn to race," Catron said. The team focuses on road racing, which inlcudes primarily time trials, road races and criteriums. During the months of January and Februray most of the team's riders, including the juniors, will participate in "roller racing," an off-season cycling event that is especially popular in Iowa. The team has been training for the 2008 race season since last November. If you know of a young person age 10 to 18 who loves to ride their road bike, enjoys competition, and wants to learn to race, contact Randy Catron as soon as possible at coachcatron@dmccraceteam.com , or call 515.480.7030.

Lacey Douglas of the wheel of a junior boy at the 2007 State Criterium Championship in Pella

Two DMOS/Bike World juniors at the Bike World Ames 2007 roller race. From left: Coach Dave Hammer coaching Lacey Douglas, and Ethan Anderson being assisted by Coach David Ertl