July 04, 2013 (Victoria, BC) – Pacific Cycling Centre and Russ Hay’s Bikes Development Program are proud to announce that they are taking new applications for the 2013-2014 Program. The inaugural 2012-13 program, currently half way through the first phase, is a great success, with the team making the Canada Games selection and achieving six podium performances at the BC Road Championships while performing in many provincial races.

The 2013-14 Program will identify a group of athletes who have the potential to progress to elite status, and compete in World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games in the next two quadrennials. Men and women in U17 and U19 categories will be identified, as will those in U23, with the objective to channel athletes into national team programs and to maintain a permanent, high-performance training group of national team and pre-national team athletes at the Pacific Cycling Centre, with the appropriate coaching and support system.

The athletes training will be based on the Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) model at the Learn-to-Train, Train-to-Train and Train-to-Compete levels. Athletes from road, track and mountain bike will be accepted into the program, and will have access to the highest quality professional coaching and training in a peer group setting, training camps, regular physiological testing, mentorship opportunities with Olympians such as Erinne Willock and Svein Tuft, and for those showing particular talent, support at race competitions.

“Having a full development program that includes coaching, racing, and equipment creates a very exciting opportunity for Canadian cyclists,” says PCC head Coach, Houshang Amiri. “In the past few years most of sport funding has gone to the top elite level. We were desperate to have a program like this to support future Canadian champions systemically and continuously based on the LTAD model.”

Athletes in this program will be eligible to be part of Russ Hay’s/Accent Inns Elite Racing Team or Development Team. Specialized bikes are the team’s official bikes and they will be offered, as well as equipment, at a special prorated price.

“Russ Hay’s is excited about partnering with Pacific Cycling Centre and Houshang Amiri for the second year in developing Canada’s top cyclists of the future,” says Mike Clermont, owner, Russ Hay’s Bikes. “Houshang is one of Canada’s premier cycling coaches and is highly respected by some of the best cyclists in the world.”

Pacific Cycling Centre (PCC) and Russ Hay’s Bikes Talent Development Program is supported by Specialized Canada, and title sponsor Accent Inns. Russ Hay’s Bikes brought many new sponsors to support the program and the race calendar with Pacific Cycling Center providing the training programs and coaching services. Pacific Cycling Centre is supported by Action Motorcycles and PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence).

Deadline to apply for the program is September 15, 2013. Interested athletes can send a race CV and cover letter to info@pacificcyclingcentre.ca Full program details will be available soon.