Wyatt Weisel, a great friend and member of the USA Cycling community, passed away December 11, 2017 after a long battle with lupus. Wyatt loved the challenge, camaraderie, and teamwork required for bicycle racing. He was a great competitor, accomplished bike racer and a member of the 2008 Masters Team Pursuit National Champions. His illness took away his racing, but did not diminish his drive to help others. Wyatt served as Chairman of the Northern California Cycling Foundation for 11 years. He successfully mentored 48 junior athletes through the NCCF/ Team Specialized program. During this time, the team produced 34 National Championships, participated in 38 European trips, and for all 11 years was awarded the USA Cycling Center of Excellence designation. In Lieu of flowers, Wyatt’s family has established a memorial fund in his honor. Gifts to the Wyatt Weisel High Performance Grant Fund will be dedicated to junior cycling development.
The Wyatt Weisel High Performance grant exists to support the future of American cycling. Athletes who have been selected or invited to join a USA Cycling trip/event are invited to apply. The need-based grant is designed to alleviate the financial burden associated with such an invite and ensure talented athletes can embrace the invitation to participate with USA Cycling.
- Athletes must be seeking financial support enabling them to attend and participate in an event they have been invited to by USA Cycling or an event agreed to with USA Cycling's Sport Performance team
- Athletes receiving Elite Direct Athlete Support are not eligible
- Athlete must be a minimum of 15 years old
- Athletes must seeking financial support to participate in an Olympic discipline
- Grant funds must be used strictly for the purpose(s) detailed in the application
- Athletes may receive no more than two grants per calendar year
- Grants for domestic travel are awarded up to $750
- Grants for international travel are awarded up to $1,500
- Applications are accepted year-round
- Applications are only accepted via the online portal
- Applicants should specify what they are requesting the funds for in the application and provide screenshots and/or copies of the specific costs of each portion of the request (e.g., flights, accommodation)
Grant applications will be reviewed by a three-person panel with representation from the USA Cycling Foundation, the Sport Performance team, and a third USA Cycling staff member. Grant applicants will be notified within 30 days of applying for the grant of the outcome of their application. Grants will be issued based on the availability of funds.