Boise Development Team sends U23s to Europe

The Boise Development (BODE) Cycling Team will send four young cyclists to France this June to compete in amateur competitions under the guidance of a local and nationally recognized coach.

Taylor Benz, Dylan Jones, Chase Pinkham, and Marcel DeLisser have been selected by coach Corey Hart to represent BODE in this first-year program that provides an opportunity for racers under 23 years of age to experience European competition. The cyclists will race as team members of VC Vernon, a regional club team located in the region of Normandy in France.

In June of 2008 Mike Cooley, BODE president and owner of Georges Cycles, met with Hart and presented the idea sending a group of U23 riders to race in Europe. He wanted to provide a scholarship for an up and coming Idaho riders to experience European competition, and Hart suggested the partnership with the VC Vernon.

Cooley explained his motivation for the program, "Ever since I was exposed to the sport of cycling, I wanted to and wished I had made the trek across the pond. I did not have a program to help with this dream. Boise Development Cycling and a number of local partners will make this a reality for four young men. We hope to make this and annual trip and grow our talent."

The BODE U23 program will offer a scholarship to one of the Idaho residents in the program based on the rate of improvement in competitions and development this spring.