Pearce hired as USA Cycling track coach

USA Cycling has hired all-round track and road racer Colby Pearce as its new endurance track coach. The 33-year-old 2004 Olympian will be involved in all phases of the endurance track program, including working with the elite men's and women's programs, the under-23 program, and developing junior racers, the organisation announced this morning.

Pearce has worked for the last year with the TIAA-CREF team as a rider/coach. "[He] has brought a number of athletes and top road talent to the track," USA Cycling director of track cycling Pat McDonough said. "We hope he can take us to the next level."

McDonough and USA Cycling intend that Pearce will help to attract road cyclists to the track. To that end he will run camps in Los Angeles and Colorado Springs to educate and develop road cyclists into track riders.

"It seemed like a natural transition," Pearce said. "I've been leaning in the direction (of coaching) over the last year with TIAA-CREF, passing on what I learned to younger riders, and then this was the perfect opportunity. The track program needs an overhaul, but with the programs Pat has enacted and the hiring of Gary West (head track coach), all of the key components are in place for a competitive track program."

Earlier this month, Pearce retired from professional racing, ending his career with a silver medal in the points race at the UCI Track World Cup in Moscow. During his 17-year career, Pearce has won 9 national championships, 11 World Cup medals (including 3 victories), and holds the US 10 km record on the track.

Pearce now takes the helm of the endurance track program that has been without a coach since 2000.