The USAC Cyclocross Development Camp, now in its fifth consecutive year, once again got underway this summer, with the 2015 edition bringing young riders from all across the country to Utah to get them ready for the season.
Geoff Proctor, the architect behind the USAC European Cycloross Program (well-known by its former name, EuroCrossCamp), once again organized the camp alongside Chris McGovern. The summer development camp has already produced a serious crop of talent with the likes of Gage Hecht, Curtis White, Tobin Ortinblad, Drew Dillman and Spencer Petrov. The development camp falls under the umbrella of USAC's larger Regional Talent ID Program, which has the dual mission of evaluating talent for racers aged between 14 and 19, as well as develop the skills of those young riders for the season ahead.
Soon before the camp began, we caught up with McGovern to ask him about what he hopes to see achieved over the duration of the camp. "I want to see each of these athletes really challenge themselves day in and day out and every second of the camp," he answered. "I want them to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and to support their fellow campers through the ups and downs. Those behaviors should be the takeaway."
For a look at the details of the camp training in pictures, we have a photo gallery in the slider below, with shots by Tom Robertson, who followed the young riders at the camp. More info: usacycling.org
Afternoon endurance rides along remote gravel roads in back country Montana provide a great opportunity for camaraderie and friendly competition. © Tom Robertson.
