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British Cycling recently named the riders that have been selected to take part in the Junior Academy programme for the coming year.
The new squad is made up of 41 riders, all of whom are aged between 14 and 17. The riders attended the first camp in Manchester over the weekend, with a dedicated day at the National Cycling Centre on Sunday.
The riders selected will represent all of the Olympic cycling disciplines, covering endurance, sprint, MTB, and BMX. Ultimately, the target for the young riders will be the Tokyo 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Ian Yates, performance pathway manager, said: “Following the success of the team in Rio, it’s vitally important that we continue to produce riders that are capable of competing for the Great Britain Cycling Team – and winning medals across all of the Olympic disciplines.
“These riders have been offered membership into the Junior Academy because we believe that with hard work, effort and dedication they have the potential to develop into a World and Olympic champion in the future.”
He continued: “You only have to look at the success that some of our Senior Academy riders have enjoyed at the European Championships this week to see that if the riders commit themselves to the process they will be rewarded with fantastic opportunities and win medals at senior level.
“I’m also really encouraged to see greater depth in the talent pool for BMX riders this year as we welcome eight new riders onto the junior academy – increasing the group from four to ten riders. This is a reflection of the outstanding work that has been done across the whole of the pathway, but in particular, the work that is being done at an apprentice level to prepare them.
“In addition to the juniors starting this weekend, I would also like to welcome Angus Claxton to the Senior Academy men’s endurance squad. Angus joins us from Scottish Cycling’s Performance Development Programme and we are really looking forward to working with him.”
For more information on British Cycling, click here.
