Just as its name implies, the discipline of road cycling takes place on paved roadways. Considered to be the most traditional, popular and purest form of bike racing, road cycling takes on many different forms. Events contested on the road include Time Trials, Road Races, Stage Races, Criteriums, Circuit Races, and Team Time Trials. At the World Championships and Olympic Games, men and women compete in the Time Trial and Road Race. The program primarily consists of a European-based training center that serves as a base for competition throughout Western Europe, i.e., Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and Denmark.
The Road pathway identifies the next generation of road athletes with world-class potential and to develop the necessary skills to compete at the elite level. It develops their physiological abilities and skills, and provides them with world-class coaching, experience, resources, and the support required to excel at the highest levels of international competition.
Here's a look at how you can enter the Olympic Development pathway and work your way on to Team USA:
USA Cycling's Olympic Development Academy (ODA) Road Team is the best comprehensive development program in North America for junior road athletes. The fully immersive program provides athletes with experience, education, and skills to take the next step forward in their progression to a trade team, the National Team or a World Tour team.
The ODA Junior Road Team will learn hands-on in Europe, racing in Kermesse races, training under the guidance of World Tour professionals, and experiencing the iconic Roubaix and Tour of Flanders courses. Athletes will be immersed in complete education sessions in strength training, skills, nutrition, tactics, sports psychology and more!
In addition to joining the team in Europe, athletes will receive a Nationals and Europe racing block training plan for strength and sport workouts. Athletes will also receive physiology testing to better understand their athletic potential and strengths.
| Date | Event | Location |
| July 7-25 | European Racing & Training Camp | Sittard, Netherlands |
Trip Details:
- Athletes must be race age 15-18
- Minimum of 4 European race days, mostly Kermesse racing in Belgium
- Top tier European coaching from a World Tour racer
- Expedition ride on the Roubaix and Tour of Flanders course
- European training block, designed to increase fitness and experience for an aspiring World Tour athlete
- How to live in Europe and succeed as an athlete
- Physiology testing to determine athletic potential
- European race skills and tactics
- European race block preparation training & strength plan included
European Camp Fee* - $5,000
3-week European race and training camp
*Additional Fees
- Olympic Development Academy Clothing - $500
- Transportation to and from Europe. All on-site logistics will be covered.
USA Cycling is proud to support our National Team athletes who champion the sport of cycling and are the ultimate ambassadors for Road Cycling. USA Cycling will support National Team elite athletes with logistical and team support upon request. Each athlete on the national team will receive unique support to best address each athlete’s needs in terms of timing and type of resources. USA Cycling will work with our elite athletes’ trade teams to help maximize the combined resources. Our goal is to ensure that our top riders have everything they need to perform at the highest level.
For criteria on how to qualify for the national team, click here for Elite, and here for U23 & Juniors.
For information on the levels of support, click here.
September 18-25, 2022: Wollongong, Australia - Road
2022 Elite Road World Championships Selection Criteria
2022 U23 Road World Championships Selection Criteria
2022 Junior Road World Championships Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form (for all Ages/Genders)
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Road World Championships
October 8-9, 2022: Veneto, Italy - Gravel
2022 Gravel World Championships Selection Criteria - Discretionary Petition Form
For more information, please visit: UCI Gravel World Championships - UCI Reveals Race Routes
February 18, 2023: Zwift - Esports
2023 Esports World Championships Selection Criteria - Discretionary Petition Form
For more information, please visit: UCI Esports World Championships
May 12-15, 2022: San Juan, Argentina - Road
Elite Women's Continental Championships Selection Criteria - Discretionary Petition Form
USA Cycling is responsible for selecting the athletes who represent the United States in the highest level of international competition. For more information on the general selection process, click here.
Did you just have a top result in the World Championships or Olympic Games? You may be eligible for a bonus from the USOPC and USA Cycling. Click here to learn more.
Mike Sayers grew up as a ski racer making his way to two junior Olympics. He went on to race as a professional cyclist for 13 years riding for Comptel Colorado Cyclist, Mercury Pro Cycling Team, Health Net Pro Cycling Team, and the BMC Racing Team. After retirement, he excelled in coaching and directing. In 2009, he moved from athlete to Director Sportif at BMC. At the time, he was the first American DS in Europe in 20+ years. After 4 years with BMC, he worked at USA Cycling running the U23 program for several years. He went on to start his own coaching business in Sacramento while still directing races for USA Cycling at key events. Some of Mike’s career highlights include directing 11 World Championships (U23 Men, Elite Men, Elite Women) and three Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. Now, Mike is back at USA Cycling as the Director of Road.
