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Foundation
Centers of Excellence

USA Cycling Foundation announces Centers of Excellence grant recipients, further shaping the future of American cycling.

The USA Cycling Centers of Excellence (COE) program unveils its prestigious winners for 2024, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Junior and Under-23 development teams in the United States that are nurturing young cycling athletes. The teams listed below met stringent criteria to receive grants from the USA Cycling Foundation, enabling them to further their efforts in shaping the future of American cycling. With a focus on athlete development and measurable success, these programs have consistently demonstrated their ability to produce highly competitive riders and contribute to the growth of the sport nationwide.

“In its 22nd year, the USA Cycling Foundation, alongside its incredible donors, has contributed over $600,000 to support Clubs that play a pivotal role in shaping the future of American cycling” says USA Cycling Director of Membership, Eric Bennett. “This year, we received a record number of applications, highlighting the significant impact of this initiative on the cycling community. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Clubs for their tireless dedication to enriching the cycling culture in the United States.”

Tier 1 Recipients:

Boulder Junior Cycling (Boulder, Colo.)

BJC is a highly successful cycling club that has earned the Center of Excellence designation for 15 years in a row. They prioritize inclusivity, actively working to broaden participation among girls and underrepresented groups by offering financial aid and free equipment. With over 50 national championships and a consistent presence at the World Championships for 10 years, BJC produces successful athletes who go on to join professional and top collegiate teams. Safety is paramount, as they are the only club in the U.S. to achieve Gold in USA Cycling’s Club Safe Sport Program for three consecutive years. Additionally, this team emphasizes the principles of long-term Athlete Development and actively contributes to the community through various volunteer initiatives and hosting local races.

Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 DEVO (Roanoke, Va.)

The success of VBR TWENTY24 Devo Women's program stems from the sustainable sporting and team-building environment they’ve established for junior female athletes. Team gatherings play a crucial role in promoting team bonding, effective communication, personal and team responsibility, and optimal teamwork skills, and were awarded this grant to help foster the continuation of their program that offers a unique opportunity for female junior cyclists. A program that serves as a home for these athletes, enabling them to develop into accomplished collegiate cyclists, professional athletes, or lifelong enthusiasts of the sport.

Bear National Team (Santa Cruz, CA)

The current BEAR Team has 15 U23 riders and 20 junior riders ages 15 – 18, supporting student-athletes from 19 different states.

While BEAR’s racing results and development track record is impressive, this team believes that relationships make good things happen. We feel a strong sense of gratitude towards our teammates, sponsors, directors and supporters. BEAR maintains a focus on fun, awareness of other and personal growth driven by values and goals.

CT Cycling Advancement Program (Middletown, Conn.)

CCAP is a dedicated non-profit organization that provides access and opportunities for over 400 youth (aged 9-18) annually to engage in cycling. With more than 30 active teams across mountain, road, and cyclocross disciplines throughout Connecticut, they offer team practices, organized events, and a structured athletic development pathway. Their focus extends beyond competitive cycling, aiming to foster positive personal development in their athletes while promoting community engagement. Encouraging teamwork and volunteerism, they emphasize compassion, positivity, and dedication, aiming to create lifelong cyclists regardless of racing involvement. The program's Travel Team Riders, who participate in national-level races, take pride in volunteering not only for the organization but also for other entities within the state.

Tier 2 Recipients:

Team Swift (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
Team Swift is a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying, recruiting, and developing cyclists from a specific region, equipping them with the necessary resources to advance in the sport. Over its 25-year existence, the team has consistently prioritized making a positive impact on American cycling. Not only have they achieved remarkable athletic success, including national championship victories, but their top graduates often earn opportunities to represent the United States on the national team and even pursue professional careers. Team Swift's comprehensive coaching program offers structured training plans for riders of all levels, complemented by a robust schedule of races, training rides, and mentorship initiatives fostering growth among younger cyclists.

WE Development (Lakewood, Colorado)

Our highly structured program composed of 15-22 year old XC mountain bike racers gunning for national & international UCI level competition. Individualized training, leadership and support are all part of the equation.

Edge Cycling (Allentown, Pa.) - Edge Cycling aims to grow and develop all Edge Cycling Athletes to a National and World Class level. While continuing to place athletes into their National Team Structure, so that they may represent the U.S. in the World’s largest competitions.

NJCX (Mendham, NJ)

Empowering the next generation of cyclocross racers. NJCX’s dynamic team comprises junior female and male racers aged 9 to 18. NJCX nurtures their racers from their inaugural races to their ascent as Cat 3 or U23 competitors. Together, their cohesive team and dedicated staff provide unwavering support, fostering a culture where camaraderie thrives at every practice and race. While cycling often appears solitary, they firmly believe in the collective strength of the team, empowering each athlete to surpass their goals and surpass their own expectations.

Midwest Devo Cycling (Indianapolis, In)

We open the door as wide as possible to the world of bike riding and racing. From first-time racers to international rippers, we help people develop their skills, meet other kids who love riding bikes, and maybe start racing. Most importantly, have fun on their bike.

Greater Houston Cycling Foundation (Houston, Tex.)

The Alkek Velodrome, managed by the Greater Houston Cycling Foundation, is a vibrant hub for bike racing in Houston, the fourth largest city in the US. With approximately 30 racing events annually, including Junior racing, the velodrome welcomes participants from all backgrounds, offering free access to riding and racing and equipment. It stands as the sole junior track program in the state, featuring free camps to introduce children to track cycling and a year-round program focusing on building confidence, fitness, and leadership skills. The program's success is driven by dedicated volunteers, who are parents, riders, and community members, and it is sustained through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, and donations, with initiatives such as volunteering at local rides and hosting fundraising events to support the junior racers.

Michigan Junior Cycling Devo (Waterford, MI)

Junior Cycling training and racing in Michigan. Creating a safe and supportive learning environment for Michigan's youth to experience and succeed at road cycling and racing. Open to all athletes on any bike.

Star Track Cycling (New York, N.Y.)

Star Track’s success lies in their dedicated staff tirelessly motivating and mentoring young riders, while the riders themselves exhibit unwavering dedication, hard work, and a passion for racing and other cycling endeavors. This team remains committed to providing a completely free program without any barriers to entry and measure success only by the smiles they bring to the faces of participants.

Fount Cycling Guild (Georgetown, KY)

Fount Cycling Guild is the place for cyclists of all levels who want to improve their performance. Founders David Richter and Jennifer Wheeler—two former professional cyclists—combined their collective cycling expertise to “get the details right” and create the best experience for the highest level of racer to those who are just getting started on the bike.

Dirt Camp Racing (Huntsville, AL)

Dirt Camp Racing is a unique team with a mission to support athletes in off-road cycling, guiding them from the developmental stage to the professional level. Their holistic approach focuses on overall personal growth, encompassing athletic advancement, character development, educational support, and career preparation. The team prides itself on a strong team culture centered around their RAPID Core Values - Respect, Accountability, Perseverance, Integrity, and Discipline. As a non-profit corporation, Dirt Camp Racing is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing well-rounded athletes from across the nation.

Edge Cycling Team (Breinigsville, PA)

In a few short years Edge Cycling has grown from a single athlete and 4 championship medals to a powerhouse of 35 athletes who most recently dominated the sprint events at the U.S. National Championships. The Edge Cycling program has amassed more than 250 national championship medals, including 62 elite national championships medals. The Edge Cycling program has sent athletes to Junior World Championships, Pan-Am Championships, World Cup's, World Championships and had an athlete selected to both the 2016 and 2020 long team for the Olympics.