Q1)   Who is running this trip?
A1)    Team Rockform Junior Development is a Southern California based team (club name is Team Velosport).  We are the largest junior road cycling program in America and the winner of USA Cycling’s Junior Club of the Year award for 2011, 2012 and 2013.  This trip is NOT run, sponsored or supported in any way by USA Cycling.

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Q2)    Why do you run this trip?
A2)    To provide older junior cyclists (age 17/18) the opportunity to learn and improve their race skills in Belgium, the “epicenter” of cycling!   To participate in a world-class cycling event and experience racing and riding in an environment unlike anything available in North America

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Q3)    Doesn’t this trip conflict with Junior Road Nationals?  Why would you schedule the trip for those dates?  
A3)    True!  Unfortunately, the UCI 2.1 Stage Race “Sint-Martinusprijs” directly conflicts with US Road Nationals this year.  This decision can be difficult… but use this as a guide:  If you’re good enough to REALLY win at Nats, then book your flight to Madison, Wisconsin!   Look at the USAC rankings and your race placements.  If you know there are higher ranked, faster or more skilled cyclists somewhere in the USA, then INVEST in this Europe race trip to become a better racer… so you can WIN at Nationals next year!

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Q4)   I think I’m going to make it on the USA National team for a Europe trip, so shouldn’t I wait?
A4)    We hear this every year, and do understand the concern.   The decision to commit to this trip vs. waiting for a possible entry to the USA National team puts many in a tough spot.  As a USAC Center of Excellence club, we fully support USA Cycling's pathway / pipeline program to get the top riders on the USA National Team.  We respect the USA National Team and know it's a HUGE honor to be selected.   But the question is, will YOU be selected?  Are YOU on the "radar" due to top level performances at top USA races?   If not, then maybe this trip would be an opportunity to hone your skills.  Most will return from Europe racing with higher confidence and improved performance at races back home.  That can get you noticed for the next USA National Trip opportunity.   And the Europe experience will make you more comfortable on a return trip if you are selected!  One of our Alumni, Tyler Schwartz from Newport Beach, CA, came back from our 2012 Europe trip stronger than ever.   He is now on InCycle-Predator Components, a UCI Continental Team, and just got 2nd GC at the Valley of the Sun Pro -1 race!   Another alumni from last year's trip is Zane Torre.  He did the trip extension for the full summer and is stronger than ever.  He just won the Valley of the Sun stage race Criterium (Cat 3)!

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Q5)   Do I have to join your team to go?
A5)    No, you will not be required to formally join our team.  We actually took more members from OTHER teams than from our own team last year!  You WILL need to get an international cycling license and it will need to list our club / team name, but you can change it back as soon as the stage race is over.   You may race Kermesse events in your home team kit, but the stage race must be raced as a team (in Team Rokform kits that will be provided).

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Q6)    Isn’t the l’Abitibi race in Canada a UCI event?  Shouldn’t I try to get on a team for that instead of going all the way to Europe?
A6)    l’Abitibi is a great race, however, it is a bit smaller (150 racers from North America, vs. 180 racers from Europe at Sint Martinusprijs)    ALSO... Be aware that l’Abitibi isn’t exactly conveniently located.  The host town this year is Amos, which is WAY up in northern Quebec; an almost seven hour drive from Montreal.  Add the five hours of flying time from the US west coast, and it's 12 hours to get there.   Ironically, it’s also 12 hours from the US west coast to Belgium, so travel time could be nearly identical.  And there’s nothing cycling oriented to do before or after the race in northern Quebec.  Belgium, however, is the undisputed world center of cycling!
   

Q7)    Are there minimum qualifications to meet for racing in Europe?
A7)    You have to be in reasonably decent shape to race in Europe.  We recommend a CAT3 or better, but it really depends on your skill and fitness level.  You can race any Kermesse event you want.  If you “fall off” the back of the peloton and get pulled, it’s not a big deal.  Many first-timers to Europe have trouble in their first few races.  But the Stage race is a different matter!  You MUST complete each stage to progress to the next one.  If you’re not comfortable in a large group or have fitness issues that prevent you from keeping up, your stage race experience may be short!  Unfortunately, the fact that you’ve traveled 6,000 miles to get there will not sway the race officials.  Every year we have a rider or two (from the six man team) who is unable to complete all five stages.  All have still thoroughly enjoyed their trips and all improved their skills on the bike and performed better back in the USA.

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Q8)    Who is there to support me during the trip?

A8)    The support team includes:​
 

• Jeff Shein, the Director of the Rokform / Rock ‘n Road Junior Development Team.  He has been involved with junior cycling team administration for over seven years.  He will handle the logistics of the trip and will also utilize his advanced mechanical skills to support the team.

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• Michael Shein is Jeff’s son.  He is a CAT2 racer and is currently obtaining his USAC level 3 coaching license.  Michael has raced for seven years, including two Belgium race trips totaling ten weeks.  He raced the Sint-Martinusprijs for both of his eligible years; the Belgian UCI 1.1 interclub race “Superbike” and the prestigious Ronde van Vlaanderen for Juniors.  He will lead the group on training rides and provide instruction and guidance on skills and strategies for the Kermesse and stage race events.
 

• Jozef Mertens is the Director of a large Belgian junior team (Juniors Sport en Steun Leopoldsburg).  He is well respected by the Belgian Federation and by the UCI.  Jozef will direct our team at the stage race.  He will supply and drive the team car.  He will also handle technical aspects for us, including getting our Calendar Cards (needed to race in Belgium), race radios, tents, other support equipment and a host of other things needed to race an event like this.  Jozef is an amazingly generous man… his Belgian team will also be racing at Sint-Martinusprijs, but he has agreed to let his assistant run that team while he helps us!