January 23, 2007 — As part of its overall junior development efforts, USA Cycling named Ben Sharp as its Junior Endurance Program Manager today.

In his new position, Sharp will serve as the primary coach and manager for the USA Cycling Junior Road Program and will also manage the U.S. Junior National Team selection process.

With a strong racing history as an eight-time national champion and demonstrated coaching expertise, Sharp’s ability to make a significant contribution to USA Cycling’s junior development initiatives made him an obvious choice for the new position.

“Ben is a phenomenal choice based on his experience and expertise as a prolific and respected coach,” commented Jim Miller, director of endurance programs at USA Cycling. “His future tenure at USA Cycling is a paramount element in our mission to create opportunities for junior athletes and foster sustained competitive excellence.”

Last year, Sharp coached track rider Liz Carlson to an elite national title and master world championship on the track and also helped guide the Marian College cycling squad to the team pursuit and team omnium national titles. Sharp also served as director of operations for Cadence Cycling & Multisport Centers in Philadelphia, a provider of coaching and training services that was very supportive of Sharp’s decision to move into a role that would allow him to focus on the growth of junior cycling in the United States.

“As a former school teacher and elite cyclist, I hope to encourage participation in the sport and create an environment where every Junior National Team member will be able to flourish,” Sharp said about his goals for his new position. “A smooth transition into the U23 program is the mid-term sporting goal for most of the athletes, so I hope to arm them with the tools vital to surviving and prospering in the program.”

His past experience includes a 2004 stint as head cycling coach for his alma mater — the University of Indiana — which he coached to eight podium appearances and two national titles at the 2004 USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships. That same year, Sharp spent time as a director sportif for the Toshiba/Aerospace Engineering Cycling Team.

In addition to being coach and manager of the junior road program and author of the U.S. National Team selection process, Sharp will also develop the junior national staff infrastructure and implement a strategy for the U.S. national road and track endurance teams.

The 35-year-old Sharp graduated from Indiana University in 1994 with a Bachelors degree in English. He raced as a competitive cyclist from 1994 until 2003, also spending a year as a Spanish Teacher at an Indianapolis high school. In 2003, he earned his USA Cycling Expert coaching license and from 2001 until 2004 was a private coach at BCS Coaching.

Before he guided other athletes, Sharp had his own success on the road and track, winning the 2001 USA Cycling Elite Criterium National Championship and eight collegiate national titles on the track. Other highlights from his race résumé include nine USA Cycling Elite Track National Championship medals, two-time membership on the U.S. National Team, and multiple state championship titles in road, track, mountain bike, and cyclo-cross.

“I am looking forward to encouraging long-term participation in the sport as well as maximizing the opportunity for each competitor to realize his or her potential,” Sharp said. “I also look forward to continuing to promote junior cycling in this country through USA Cycling Regional Athlete Development Camps in June.”