Cynisca Cycling isn’t just another name in the pro peloton; it’s a movement. Created from a mission to elevate young female cyclists in the United States, the team is rooted in empowerment, taking its name from the ancient Spartan woman Cynisca, the first female Olympic champion.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cycling, the collaboration with teams like Cynisca Cycling and USA Cycling’s national development efforts are shaping the path to success for American racers. As a UCI Continental women’s team with ties to grassroots development, Cynisca Cycling is playing a crucial role in identifying and nurturing top talent.
They don’t just develop riders, they give them a platform. Real races. Real competition. Real experience with real support. And that’s how the pipeline keeps going, young riders stepping up, making moves, and putting U.S. women’s cycling on the international map.
This partnership is filling a critical gap in the development pipeline. While nearly every men’s World Tour team has an established men’s development team, the same cannot be said on the women’s side. This has left a lot of promising racers without a clear pathway to the professional level. USA Cycling and Cynisca Cycling are identifying and developing talent together.
Riders like Natalie Quinn and Chloe Patrick, both products of USA Cycling’s development programs, have moved through the pipeline and now ride for Cynisca Cycling. USA Cycling helps feed athletes to Cynisca’s roster, and once they make the jump to the professional ranks, they continue to supplement their schedules with national team-level racing opportunities and international racing blocks. This structured approach ensures a continuous pipeline of talent, fostering the growth of American cyclists on the global stage.
Cynisca continues to nurture the next generation of cycling talent. Mentorship from racers like Alexis Magner and Heidi Franz in race tactics and mental preparation, combined with the work of the team's domestiques, creates an environment where young women can compete at cycling's highest level.
Robin Farina, General Manager of Cynisca Cycling says, “We're incredibly proud of what this team has accomplished, Chloe's national title and our criterium podiums [at Pro Road] show we're raising the bar for women's cycling, not just domestically but internationally. Seeing our former riders succeed proves our mission is working, we're giving young women the tools and opportunities to excel in the world's biggest races. That's what Cynisca is all about!"
To learn more about Cynisca Cycling, their mission, and how you can help support women’s cycling, check out their website here. To donate to their mission, click here!
For a more in depth look at how American cyclists progress from hometown racing to the world stage, USA Cycling offers a detailed overview of its road development pipeline. Our program spans from junior talent identification camps to international racing opportunities. It provides structure and support as racers move through the ranks. A system designed specifically to identify potential and develop it with intention. You can click here to learn more about the pathway.
