USACDF Programs

The National Development Team Program

The National Development Program (NDP) is primarily funded by a grant from the Foundation. This program has accomplished the mission over the last 10 years, sending multiple riders to D1-level pro teams, including the first rider out of the program to land a pro contract, Dave Zabriskie. Zabriskie's leading days at the 2005 Tour de France were of special importance to the National Team program, as they marked a new era of American professionals in Europe, produced in part by the generous patrons of the Foundation. Saul Raisin was another former NDP rider who  made the jump to the Pro Tour (Credit Agricole and now reitired due to injury), along with Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda), Danny Pate (Team Sky), Craig Lewis (Champion System), Bjorn Selander (SpiderTech-C10) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team). Over 25 riders starting the 2007 Amgen Tour of California had participated in the National Development Team program during the previous eight years, and every rider under 30 on the U.S. Pro-Continetal  and Pro Tour rosters have participated in this intensive program. USA Cycling continues to offer the opportunity for the top under-23 age athletes to participate in the European racing experience, which includes opportunities for road, track and mountain bike discipline athletes.

National Mountain Bike Development Program

The USACDF funds the National Mountain Bike Development program which has recently launched a European base in southern Germany. Junior, under-23 and pro level riders are invited to live and train from the European base when racing in the various World Cups, Swiss and German cup series of races. Riders participating  in this program have access to national team coaches, mechanic and other support services.

Edmund R. Burke Fund for Cycling Development

The Edmund R. Burke Fund for Cycling Development supports travel/training grants for junior and U23 cyclists, awarding monies directly to qualifying athletes for use in attending regional and national development camps, and for use in travel to specific national and international events. These awards are based on athletic merit and financial need. The Burke fund has awarded over $201,000 in 350-plus grants to Junior and U-23 riders around the country in the last eight years. Many of the grant recipients have gone on to win national championships and medal in world championships. These awards are made possible by the generosity of individual donors. You can help replenish this important fund by donating today. You can find the application in the forms section when it becomes available.

Centers of Excellence

The Centers of Excellence Program recognizes the top USA Cycling club/team programs with grants for development and growth. The Foundation awards grants directly to organizations which have demonstrated successful and sustainable non-for-profit business models in developing junior and U23 cycling athletes. The current Centers of Excellence around the country set the standard for cycling athlete development in the U.S.A. Read about previous recipients here.

John Stenner Collegiate Scholarship Fund/Joshua Kuck Memorial Collegiate Scholarship

The Stenner and Kuck Collegiate Scholarships are awarded annually to the top male and female riders in the National Collegiate Cycling Association, based on certain criteria including competitive, academic, advocacy and community service accomplishments. The applications are available each fall in the forms section with a submission deadline of December 1st each year. Read about previous Stenner and Kuck Grant Recipients here.

Womens National Development Program

The USA Cycling Womens National Team Program utilizes a European base in Lucca, Italy, to provide support for our top American women to race in the World Cups and other top European women's competitions, which are held primarily in Western Europe. The program offers incredible opportunities to women who have shown the ability to be competitive internationally, many who have participated in the Foundation funded annual Talent I.D. camp in previous years. This is one of the most successful development programs in USA Cycling's Athletics Department. Click here for more information on the women's base in Italy.

Regional and National Development Camp Program

The regional development camp program starts with competition. Juniors (under 18) race in Lance Armstrong Junior Race Series (LAJRS) or Alison Dunlap Junior Race Series (ADJRS) events and qualify based on results for regional camp invitations. Regional camp performance qualifies riders for national campionships, where top juniors from around the country train together and compete head to head. Regional and national camps may be paid for in part by the USA Cycling Development Foundation, with riders applying for USACDF Travel/Training Scholarships for camp travel and tuition assistance.