TIAA-CREF starts Avenir run

US under-23 development team TIAA-CREF started a six-week stint in Europe yesterday with the first stage of the Paris-Correze race. The team has crossed the pond to prepare for the Tour de L'Avenir (September 2-11), the most important race on the calendar for under-23 riders.

The squad for the team's European tour includes Timmy Duggan, Craig Lewis, David Robinson, Stu Gillespie (second overall at Tour de la Martinique), current under-23 national champion Ian Macgregor, and climbing phenomenon Michael Lange.