On Friday, USA Cycling and US Continental team VMG Racing announced a formal joint venture for 2007. U23 road cyclists identified by USA Cycling will ride for VMG Racing in a mix of National Racing Calendar and Central and South American UCI events. In Europe, USA Cycling will continue to focus its attention on its National Development Team. Top performers from VMG will be made available to USA Cycling for UCI U23 World Cup events and additional European National Development Team events in Europe.
VMG and USA Cycling believe the partnership bodes well for the development of the sport in the United States and a more competitive future for up-and-coming American riders. The joint venture evolved over the last few months after a successful season of cooperation between the two groups.
"As we worked together this year, it became obvious that the design and purpose of each program complimented the other," said Jim Miller, USA Cycling's Director of Endurance Programs. "We did not have to search very hard for synergies. They existed naturally in our collective goals and mission."
The new VMG-USA Cycling partnership directly targets the vertical support issue that hopes to prepare talented young riders for professional competition. VMG Racing will retain ownership, autonomy and branding of its U23 team.
USA Cycling and VMG have stated that the goal for their joint venture is based more on execution than results. "The long-term vision and direction for this joint venture is to develop a program that is sustainable and one that is rooted in the belief that proper development of U23 riders is critical to competitive success," said VMG founder Mark Holowesko.
VMG Racing will release details on its 2007 team roster and additional sponsors in the near future.
