Saint Augustine’s University launched the first HBCU cycling team in the country

In April 2020, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) launched the first HBCU cycling team through its School of Business, Management, & Technology. As a USA Cycling registered collegiate club, the team will compete in the Atlantic division against dozens of other schools in the Southeast. They will also host the 2020 Saint Augustine's University Collegiate Virtual Cycling Invitational.

We had the opportunity to connect with Mark Janas, coach and professor at SAU, and ask him about the inaugural Saint Augustine’s University cycling team. We asked about SAU’s program goals within their first year, and how the cycling community can support the first HBCU cycling team in the country.

Congrats and welcome to the USA Cycling Collegiate Community! Can you introduce your team for the rest of the community? College, members, discipline, etc. Top level stuff!

[MARK] We’re proud to be part of the inaugural Saint Augustine’s University cycling team, the first HBCU cycling team in the country! Our team started this Fall with 4 male and 4 female racers. We plan to focus on cyclocross/gravel training on our live rides for much of the semester, but we are doing a lot of virtual training and racing as well on the Zwift, RGT, and RevoRace platforms. We’ll supplement weekly workouts with some BMX training for our racers interested in that discipline. We’re lucky that we have a BMX within track walking distance from campus.

What are some of the team goals for the first year?

[MARK] This year is all about building our team infrastructure, securing sponsors, developing our bike handling skills, and getting as much time in the saddle as possible. We’ve been very fortunate to receive a tremendous amount of support from sponsors including Canyon, Stages, RevoRace, Saris, Oak City Cycling Project, and Major Taylor Cycling Wear. We can’t thank them enough.

What does it mean to you (and the team) to be the first HBCU cycling team in the country?

[MARK] It means a lot to us and others at the University. We understand that establishing this team is more than just about SAU. It gives us a chance to bring more diversity to the sport of cycling at the collegiate level and plant seeds to get more African-Americans of all ages involved in cycling.

What is the story behind the SAU Virtual Cycling Invitational?

[MARK] Interestingly enough, even before the pandemic hit, we had our sights set on virtual cycling for a variety of reasons. First, we believe strongly that virtual cycling offers a great way to gain exposure to the sport in a way that is less intimidating, safer, and more convenient. Also, we have a strong esports initiative ongoing at the school, with a particular emphasis on virtual and simulation sports. So, it all fit in nicely with what’s going on academically at SAU. Once we realized there would be few other options to compete this Fall (& we desperately wanted to compete in our inaugural season!) we engaged USAC to create this series. Some of our professors and coaches brought the technical expertise required to get it off of the ground.

What other ways have you been using virtual technology to train?

[MARK] The virtual platforms and other tech tools we’re using allow us to manage our team’s progress in ways that were only available to pro teams just a few years ago. This season, each of our riders is equipped with his or her own power meter, as well as licenses to use more than one virtual cycling platform. Whether in virtual group rides or virtual races we can more closely and accurately monitor power, effort, and improvement, using that data to help us tailor coaching and training sessions as needed. Of course, we’ll be able to stay on pace with our training since we’ll be unhindered by lack of daylight or bad weather.

How has the team been dealing with the new normal of the pandemic?

[MARK]As a very small school, SAU has perhaps been a bit less impacted by COVID than other schools. Our class sizes were already smaller than those in other colleges, and we had been preparing since early March for a mix on live, hybrid, and online Fall classes. Certainly, launching a team in a pandemic has been no easy task, but our early prep and our focus on virtual cycling has made it easier for us. Still, we can’t wait to get to live racing!

Join us for the 2020 Collegiate Virtual Cycling Race Series, an 8-week, 8-event series that starts on 9/2/2020 and runs through 10/28/20. Events will be a mix of “anywhere” time trials (on real roads) and virtual platform races. In addition to collegiate divisions, there is a “club" category (for coaches and staff) and an “alumni" race category. Virtual badges will be awarded to individual and team winners for each event, as well as the overall series.

Click on the event links below for more information and to register for each event.

Learn more about the program: https://www.saintaugcycling.co...