Crawley CC / Ingear Development squad / Team DFL –
Rider development programme
- Level 1..........go-ride (Crawley CC)
- For riders new to the sport and ideally aged 8 – 10. Teaches gears 1 & 2 of the British Cycling go-ride scheme. Riders will learn cycling skills through a variety of fun games and activities. Riders will pass a skills test at the end of the course to move onto the next level.
- Level 2..........go-ride (Crawley CC)
- For riders ideally aged 10 –12. Teaches gears 3 & 4 of the British cycling go-ride scheme. Level 2 activities build on the skills learnt in level 1. In addition level 2 introduces the different concepts of sprint and endurance cycling. Level 2 is more focused on the skills needed for cycling as a sport. Riders will have the opportunity to take the Development squad endurance and sprint talent test at the end of the level. Riders will need to display a competent level to progress onto level 3.
- Level 3..........Youth
- Continues with the British Cycling go-ride scheme and works toward the successful completion of gears 4. Training rides will be more race skill specific. Riders will experience and display competence in all aspects of competition. Riders will progress onto level 4 upon satisfactory completion of this level.
- Level 4..........Youth
- Level 4 is training and competition based. Riders will be required to display good basic racing techniques, an understanding of race tactics, physical potential, the ability to learn and be a driven regional competitor.
- Level 5..........Junior
- First year or less experienced junior category riders. To complete this level the riders must - gain experience and be competent racing on the open road in a bunch, have reached a good level at regional competition, gain experience of racing abroad, have good technique/etiquette/discipline, be able to follow a structured training plan including completing and understanding a training diary, have an understanding of basic bike maintenance, a good understanding of nutrition and lifestyle and display good race preparation.
- Level 6..........Junior
- Second year or more experienced juniors. To complete this level the riders must – be a consistent and competent rider at national competition level, have the ability to cope with a structured periodised training programme, advanced discipline specific skills, be a competent competitor and gain good results in races abroad, have a full understanding of bike maintenance and be aspiring towards a professional athletes liestyle.
- Level 7..........Espoir
- To gain experience of racing at an elite level, both in this country and abroad. Riders will need to perform at a high level gaining good results in road and track racing. Riders will be expected to spend periods of time living on the continent to get used to the lifestyle. An excellent understanding of riding as part of a team is needed. Riders will be expected to gain results at a national and international level both as an individual and for the team.
- Level 8..........Senior (Team DFL)
Riders who progress to this level will be of elite, 1st or in certain cases, 2nd category standard. This will be the last stage for a rider before embarking on a professional career. Riders will be expected to spend long periods living abroad. Riders will be expected to gain results at a national and international level both as an individual and for the team.
