Lacambra To Manage US Women’s Program Abroad
Late last week, USA Cycling announced the hiring of Manel Lacambra as manager of the organization’s Women’s Endurance Program. While the news may not have been headline grabbing, it represents a dynamic shift, one which was started by Lacambra’s predecessor Jim Miller, who is now USA Cycling’s Director of Athletics, in the development of American female cyclists.
For years, the impetus for acquiring the necessary tools to excel in events such as the World Championships and Olympics fell largely on the individual. Two of our country’s most successful riders, Kristin Armstrong and Amber Neben, rode to prominence because of their decision, early on in their respective career, to forgo the American style of racing and ride on European based teams.
But with the hiring of Lacambra, who brings his vast experience as a Director Sportif in the European style of racing, the women that comprise our US National team have now been afforded the opportunity to not only tap his considerable knowledge base, but also to garner invaluable experience abroad while still maintaining a foothold in the States.
Colorado Springs, CO - USA Cycling announced today the hiring of Management Cycling Prof, S.L.to manage the organization’s Women’s Endurance Program.
Led by Director Sportif Manel Lacambra, the Spanish-based company will direct the national governing body’s women’s development efforts from the USA Cycling European Residence Center in Lucca, Italy. Lacambra will play an integral role in developing the next crop of world-class American female cyclists.
A professional women’s team manager for the past four years, Lacambra has managed the Univega Pro Cycling Team, and most recently, the German-based Cervelo Test Team (previously known as Cervelo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team). Throughout his tenure with Cervelo, the Spanish team manager has worked very closely with American standout, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time world champ in the time trial, Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho/Cervelo Test Team).
“After two great years of working with Kristin, I get the opportunity to work with the U.S. National Team and am very happy for that,” the 34-year-old Lacambra said. “Over the last few years, I have noticed that U.S. riders are talented but that they have a different style of racing than in Europe. I like the American people and their professionalism and will do my best to raise the U.S. Women’s National Team to the highest possible level.”
Lacambra is a former road racer and race mechanic. Under his team management, Cervelo Test Team grabbed 87 podium places in 2009 UCI events, including five World Cup victories.
“We need to continue to drive the development and education of American female cyclists, and Manel is one of the best directors in the world when it comes to professional women’s cycling,” explained USA Cycling’s Director of Athletics, Jim Miller, who ran the women’s development program for eight years before moving into his current role in 2009. “We’ve had one goal with our women’s development efforts and that has been to win world titles and Olympic medals. Under the direction of Manel and Management Cycling Prof, that goal is the same. We want to be nothing less than the best national team in the world.”
Article originally published on www.usacycling.org
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