Reigning World Champion cyclist Sarah Hammer publicly released her new organization on Monday, July 3. The American Women’s Track Cycling Fund (AWTCF) is designed to fill a void within US cycling. American Hammer said that the organization’s mission will be to support current champions and to nurture and provide assistance to upcoming champions.
The AWTCF will be two-fold with both an elite team and development program. Hammer commented, "It’s been a dream to start a women’s specific track development program. As soon as I won worlds in June the first thing I thought was that this would be a huge opportunity to launch such a program. We already have three clinics planned locally and one in conjunction with the Eastside Wheelmen program in Colorado Springs."
On the elite side, the AWTCF will be working with a soon to be named headlining sponsor and other supporters to help found and fund the first women’s only UCI professional track team. "I’m very proud as a woman to be unveiling a team with such ambitions. We know starting out that we cannot afford a large prestigious team, so we will start with a small prestigious one! So yes, the first year it will be only me. For the 2007/2008 season we are planning on bringing on one more elite rider."
The first team event is planned for August 12 at the ADT Event Center Velodrome in Carson, California. "The first stepping stone will be raising awareness and funds at my August 12th event," she continued. "The organization will only be as strong as its supporters so we are really hoping everyone gets behind it."
More information about Sarah Hammer and her new organization can be found at www.awtcf.org.
