Nail-biting breakaways, impossibly steep climbs, technical descents, and assertive attacks on the pack. Check out Team USA riders competing in Time Trials, Road Races, and Criteriums, and the programs that help Team USA dominate international events.
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.
Join The Team
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) for road is the best comprehensive development program in North America for junior and U23 athletes. The comprehensive and fully immersive program was designed to provide an athlete with experience, knowledge, skills and guidance to build a solid foundation and be prepared to take the next step forward in their progression to a trade team, the National Team or a World Tour team.
Semester Breakdown
The athlete will learn and experience what it takes to be a competitive cyclist at the highest levels. Athletes will have the opportunity to attend fully supported races in the US & Europe with an extensive support staff. The European blocks will be based out of our European Training Headquarters in Sittard, Netherlands.
The program will teach skills, including bike handling, pack riding, positioning, cobbles, crosswinds, climbing, sprinting and time trialing. Race preparation, race strategy and management from both an individual and team perspective will be taught. Team structure, roles, strategy, and execution will be key. In completing this extensive curriculum, each athlete will leave with incredibly valuable experience and knowledge that would be difficult to gain elsewhere.
UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 13, 2021:
We have put together a cohesive competition and camp schedule for the Spring and Fall semesters with the hopes we would be back racing at the beginning of 2021. Our goal is to provide the best development opportunity for athletes by creating a world-class cycling experience. With the current state of the world, we do not feel that we can create that environment at this time.
With that in mind, the Olympic Development Academy will be run as one Super Semester in 2021 and anyone who has applied for the 2021 Spring and/or Fall semesters will be in consideration. The associated costs per semester will stay the same for the single semester, which means an extension of benefits with no additional cost. We are extending the application period to March 15, 2021. We will share another update on Wednesday, February 17th with more specific information on important dates & deadlines, schedules, etc.
Schedule (U25 Women)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
March 30 - April 11
Training Camp & Joe Martin Stage Race
Fayetteville, AR
April 15-28
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
April 29 - May 2
Gracia UCI 2.2
Czech Republic/ Poland
May 3-18
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
May 19-23
Bretagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit UCI 2.1
France
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (Junior Women)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
February 4-14
Training Camp & Valley of the Sun
Phoenix, AZ
February 19-28
Training Camp & Tour of Southern Highlands
Woodstock, GA
April 11 - May 7
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
May 8-9
Tour du Gevaudan Occitane femmes UCI 2.NC
France
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (U23 Men)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
March 21 - May 8
European Training Camp
Sittard, Netherlands
March 27-28
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
April 4
Trofeo Piva UCI 1.2U
Italy
April 5
Giro del Belvedere UCI 1.2U
Italy
April 14-18
Tour du Loir et Cher UCI 2.2
France
April 24-25
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
May 1
Ronde van Overijssel UCI 1.3
Netherlands
May 12 - 16
Fleche du Sud UCI 2.3
Luxembourg
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (Junior Men)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
February 19-28
Training Camp & Tour of Southern Highlands
Woodstock, GA
March 28 - May 8
European Training Camp
Sittard, Netherlands
April 9-11
Cottbuser Junioren-Etappenfahrt UCI 2.1
Germany
April 17-18
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
April 30 - May 3
La Coupe du President de la Ville de Grudziadz UCI 2.1
Poland
May 9
Grand Prix Bob Jungels UCI 1.1
Luxembourg
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Cost of Attendance
The Olympic Development Academy costs $10,000 per semester with the add-on of team clothing for $500 each year. Other additional cost may be incurred. For a cost breakdown and information on scholarships, click here.
Olympic Development Academy athletes publicly announced
TBD
What is the National Team?
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 and information on the levels of support, visit the Men's Team or the Women's Team.
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.
Podium Bonus
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.
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.
Join The Team
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) for road is the best comprehensive development program in North America for junior and U23 athletes. The comprehensive and fully immersive program was designed to provide an athlete with experience, knowledge, skills and guidance to build a solid foundation and be prepared to take the next step forward in their progression to a trade team, the National Team or a World Tour team.
Semester Breakdown
The athlete will learn and experience what it takes to be a competitive cyclist at the highest levels. Athletes will have the opportunity to attend fully supported races in the US & Europe with an extensive support staff. The European blocks will be based out of our European Training Headquarters in Sittard, Netherlands.
The program will teach skills, including bike handling, pack riding, positioning, cobbles, crosswinds, climbing, sprinting and time trialing. Race preparation, race strategy and management from both an individual and team perspective will be taught. Team structure, roles, strategy, and execution will be key. In completing this extensive curriculum, each athlete will leave with incredibly valuable experience and knowledge that would be difficult to gain elsewhere.
UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 13, 2021:
We have put together a cohesive competition and camp schedule for the Spring and Fall semesters with the hopes we would be back racing at the beginning of 2021. Our goal is to provide the best development opportunity for athletes by creating a world-class cycling experience. With the current state of the world, we do not feel that we can create that environment at this time.
With that in mind, the Olympic Development Academy will be run as one Super Semester in 2021 and anyone who has applied for the 2021 Spring and/or Fall semesters will be in consideration. The associated costs per semester will stay the same for the single semester, which means an extension of benefits with no additional cost. We are extending the application period to March 15, 2021. We will share another update on Wednesday, February 17th with more specific information on important dates & deadlines, schedules, etc.
Schedule (U25 Women)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
March 30 - April 11
Training Camp & Joe Martin Stage Race
Fayetteville, AR
April 15-28
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
April 29 - May 2
Gracia UCI 2.2
Czech Republic/ Poland
May 3-18
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
May 19-23
Bretagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit UCI 2.1
France
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (Junior Women)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
February 4-14
Training Camp & Valley of the Sun
Phoenix, AZ
February 19-28
Training Camp & Tour of Southern Highlands
Woodstock, GA
April 11 - May 7
European Training Camp & Karmesse Races
Sittard, Netherlands
May 8-9
Tour du Gevaudan Occitane femmes UCI 2.NC
France
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (U23 Men)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
March 21 - May 8
European Training Camp
Sittard, Netherlands
March 27-28
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
April 4
Trofeo Piva UCI 1.2U
Italy
April 5
Giro del Belvedere UCI 1.2U
Italy
April 14-18
Tour du Loir et Cher UCI 2.2
France
April 24-25
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
May 1
Ronde van Overijssel UCI 1.3
Netherlands
May 12 - 16
Fleche du Sud UCI 2.3
Luxembourg
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schedule (Junior Men)
2021 Spring Semester
Date
Event
Location
February 19-28
Training Camp & Tour of Southern Highlands
Woodstock, GA
March 28 - May 8
European Training Camp
Sittard, Netherlands
April 9-11
Cottbuser Junioren-Etappenfahrt UCI 2.1
Germany
April 17-18
Karmesse Races
Belgium/Netherlands
April 30 - May 3
La Coupe du President de la Ville de Grudziadz UCI 2.1
Poland
May 9
Grand Prix Bob Jungels UCI 1.1
Luxembourg
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Cost of Attendance
The Olympic Development Academy costs $10,000 per semester with the add-on of team clothing for $500 each year. Other additional cost may be incurred. For a cost breakdown and information on scholarships, click here.
Olympic Development Academy athletes publicly announced
TBD
What is the National Team?
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 and information on the levels of support, visit the Men's Team or the Women's Team.
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.
Podium Bonus
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.
Women's Key Events
Elite Events
Location
Junior Events
Location
Worlds Course Recon
AUT
Worlds Course Preview Camp
NOR
Pan American Championships
ARG
Trofeo Binda NCup
ITA
Tour of California
USA
Gent Wevelgem NCup
BEL
Thuringen Ladies Tour
GER
Health Aging Tour NCup
HOL
Chrono Gatineau
CAN
Omloop V. Borsele NCup
HOL
Chrono Kristin Armstrong
USA
Pan American Championships
ARG
Post Tour Kermesses
NED
Watersley Ladies Challenge
NED
La Route de France
FRA
Chrono Champenois
FRA
Veenedaal Classic
BEL
World Championships
NOR
Trophee d'Or Feminin
FRA
Team Building Camp
USA
Boels Ladies Tour
NED
Lotto Belgium Tour
BEL
Chrono Champenois
FRA
World Championships
AUT
ITT Camp I
USA
ITT Camp II
USA
ITT Camp III
USA
Men's Key Events
U23 Events
Junior Events
Istrian Spring Trophy
Gent Wevelgem*
Classic Prep Camp
Ster van Zuid Limburg
Gent Wevelgem*
Paris Roubaix*
Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux
Course de la Paix*
Ronde van Vlaanderen U23
Internationale Junioren Driedaagse
Liege - Bastogne - Liege*
Tour du Pays de Vaud*
ZLM Tour*
Omloop de Maasvallei
Pan American Championships
Trofeo Karlsberg*
Rhone Alpes Isere Tour
Tour de l'Abitibi*
Ronde van Overjissel
15-16 EU Race Camp
Ronde de l'Isard
G.P. Ruebliland
Circuit de Wallonie
Road World Championships
GP Priessnitz*
Altitude Training Camp
USA Cycling U23 National Championships
Tour de l'Avenir*
GP Wallonie
Raifessen
U23 ITT World Championships
U23 RR World Championships
*Nations Cup event
ROAD CYCLING
MEET THE STAFF
Jeff Pierce
Director of Elite Athletics, Road and Track
Background
During his professional road racing career, Jeff became the third American to win a stage at the Tour de France with his victory in the final stage on the Champs-Élysées in 1987. Over his 22-years of racing, he competed in seven Grand Tours and collected numerous wins in road races around the United States. Jeff was a member of the U.S. National Team, and he was the No. 1-ranked rider in the country in 1985. In Jeff's role at USA Cycling, he oversees the road programs from the development level through the U.S. National Team. In 2020, he was inducted into the US Bicycling Hall of Fame.