August 31, 2017 – DEVO/Cannodale pb Fortius Program Director and Head Coach, Andrew Pinfold is stepping down after 5 years leading and implementing the Vision 2020 plan he co-developed for the program. He will transition to the full-time position of interim CEO of AutismBC. “Andrew was steadfast in his commitment to the holistic athlete development and community development values set out in Vision 2020 five years ago,” says Brian Storey, President of Escape Velocity non-profit society (est. 1989), and co-founder with Pinfold of the Vision 2020 plan. “We started with nine riders and a blank piece of paper, and Andrew ended up working with over 20 coaches and sparking passion in close to 100 athletes and their families over his tenure. It’s amazing really!”

Under Andrew’s leadership, the DEVO and Cannondale pb Fortius programs evolved into a multi-discipline and sport science-informed suite of training opportunities for youth, covering road racing, time trials, criterium racing, track racing, cyclocross, cross-country mountain bike, indoor training, fitness and strength training, and weekly rider education, from September through April every year. Over the last few years, the program results have begun to speak for themselves, both provincially and nationally. Since 2014, the team has earned over 30 BC Championship medals annually. Most recently, four of the program’s U17 riders were selected to the U19 Team BC, representing the province at road cycling national championships.

Tim Sherstobitoff, who has been with the DEVO program for over four years, will be taking over for Andrew as Program Director and Head Coach. Sherstobitoff is currently the head U17 and U19 coach of the Cannondale pb Fortius team, head of the track program, has served as head U13 and U15 coach, and has also been involved in the cyclocross program as an assistant coach. “Tim is universally respected as a caring and athlete-focused coach,” says Storey. “Our coaches always work as a team and the transition from Andrew to Tim will bring new opportunities for the program while also sustaining the core values of Vision 2020, built into the program by Tim and Andrew over the past 4 years.”

The program has made incredible strides under Pinfold’s leadership, and he sees great opportunities ahead for the team and its young riders: “It has been a privilege to involved with DEVO these past few years,” says Pinfold. “What I will miss most is regularly working with such remarkable and dedicated young riders, along with a fantastic coaching staff and board. I’m very excited to be passing the torch over to Tim who I know will take the program to new heights.”

The Greater Vancouver cycling community is invited to celebrate Andrew’s last event as Team Director and head coach on September 12th, as he takes to the stage with 3-time world champion Alison Sydor to announce the <http://escapevelocity.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24ed3840f80602e8b63c2cba1&id=9cfa136559&e=335ba1cb61>BJBMW Last Tuesday Nighter in benefit of DEVO. Tickets are on sale <http://escapevelocity.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24ed3840f80602e8b63c2cba1&id=2d96b88891&e=335ba1cb61>here until Sept 11.