Aims and objectives

Now in our final year of our current funding cycle (2015—19) we continue to work towards the clearly-defined long term objective for our current Performance Programmes:

• More Scottish riders winning more medals at Olympic / Paralympic, World and Commonwealth level, more often.

In order to achieve long term success we are focused on developing talent.  Our short–medium term primary objective is to:

• Identify and develop a pool of talented athletes who demonstrate the ability, desire and ambition to achieve at the highest level. 

Over the past three years we have maintained focus on these goals and have witnessed some excellent success with increased numbers of youngsters who are competitive at UK level, part of GB programmes and making a successful transition into high level senior competition.  In April we also enjoyed our best ever Commonwealth Games winning ten medals including four Golds which saw cycling come out as the most successful sport for Scotland!

Our Approach

Our programmes are specifically designed to give ambitious riders the best chance of long term success across all disciplines in both able body and Para-cycling, whilst supporting our very best, Scotland based GB and Professional athletes.

At the heart of the programmes is performance development. Within our development programmes there are specific process-focused targets at every step of the way as we develop riders towards success on the world stage.

These goals are firmly aligned with making the step up to the next level - which for many of our riders is the GB Cycling Team.  Through an excellent relationship with British Cycling, we have a clear understanding of what riders need to be able to achieve in order to make it onto GB programmes - that are focused on Track (Sprint & Endurance), MTB XC and BMX at the performance development stage.   There is a solid history within the GB Cycling team programmes of not only producing the very best track racers in both sprint and endurance, but also on the road as recently demonstrated by the winner of the 2018 Tour de France. 

In mountain bike cross country, Scotland has a proud record of producing talent and developing riders to the level required for GB selection and the next step of the pathway – UCI Professional teams.  We will continue with the approach of investing in skill as well as physical development of young riders whilst ensuring we can provide for our senior and professional riders who remain based in Scotland, with the very best level of support.

We are confident that this is the correct approach for Scottish Cycling as we aim to achieve more Scottish riders competing successfully on the world stage across all disciplines in both able body and Para-Cycling.

Affiliate Performance Programme - Track, MTB XC, Road

Programme objective:    

To support riders who are performing at a very high level now.  Riders are likely to be professional riders and/or members of the Great Britain Cycling Team, competing internationally.  

Who it’s aimed at:

Riders competing at International level as part of GB or high level Professional Cycling Teams.

The programme will add value to the support that a rider is already receiving from their professional team and/or performance programme.  We aim to assist where possible to ensure success at the highest level.  We will work with the riders support network to deliver any agreed additional required support.  This support may be in the form of access to Scottish Cycling coached track sessions as well as other training and race opportunities.  It will also ensure support services are available through the Sport Scotland Institute of Sport where required.

Riders of the appropriate level may be invited onto the programme, and riders can also apply through using the link below.  Applicants will need to demonstrate they are at the level required for the programme through race results and performances and may be required to attend a meeting with the performance programme staff prior to selection.

Apply here. Closing date 19th August 2018 at 23:55

Performance Development Programme – Track, (Endurance /Sprint), Road,(including Para-Cycling), MTB XC

Programme objective:
To develop talented athletes in progressing up the performance pathway who have the potential to succeed at the highest level.

Who it’s aimed at:
Junior and Senior category riders who have absolute desire and drive to become successful on the World Stage, competing professionally and representing Great Britain in major Championships and Olympic Games.

In line with our high performance goals we are seeking riders who demonstrate significant potential and ambition to race successfully in the future at the highest level including;

• UCI pro-continental or World Tour Road Teams
• UCI women’s road teams
• As part of the Great Britain Cycling Team Programmes

Our approach uses well established methods of successfully developing performance athletes and includes riders working 1-2-1 with an SC performance coach. This relationship is based on delivering effective training programmes as appropriate to the discipline and specific needs of individual athletes at each stage of their development and will include:

•             Road based training (inc. camps)
•             Track based training (inc. sessions at the SCHV)
•             Turbo / Roller sessions
•             Strength & Conditioning
•             Racing opportunities on road and track both in the UK abroad

Coaching also includes helping to create effective individual race programmes (in close collaboration with riders clubs/teams where needed) that align with riders long term development needs. Opportunities to compete for Scotland (road and/or track) may arise as part of a planned race programme.

Support services provided by sportscotland Institute of Sport (SIS) form a significant component of the coaching input and will play a key part in delivery of a number of services to aid athlete’s progression as follows:

•             Strength and Conditioning
•             Physiological testing / Performance Analysis
•             Physio & Medical support
•             Performance Nutrition
•             Performance Lifestyle

SIS support is provided according to the individual requirements discussed and agreed at regular athlete development team meetings.

Apply here. Closing date 19th August 2018 at 23:55

Riders not selected for the Performance Development Programme may be invited to be part of iDevelop.

Performance Development Programme – MTB XC

Programme objective:
To develop talented athletes in progressing up the performance pathway who have the potential to succeed at the highest level.

Who it’s aimed at:
Developing riders who have absolute desire and drive to become successful on the World Stage, competing for Great Britain at the very highest level and becoming a professional athlete.

Riders selected will have demonstrated a high level of potential and have high ambitions of progressing to become a Professional and /or gain selection to the Great Britain Cycling Team in the future.   They will have a desire to succeed at the highest level in MTB XC.

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate a high level of commitment to the discipline of XC racing including competing in the major events across the UK.   Members of the programme will be coached by one of the Team of Scottish Cycling Performance Programme coaches.

All riders will need to follow a training and competition programme that will provide the best chances of them achieving their goals and attaining the level required for selection to the GB Cycling team Performance Programmes.

Apply here. Closing date 19th August 2018 at 23:55

Riders not selected for the Performance Development Programme may be invited to be part of iDevelop.

iDevelop —Track (including Para-Cycling), MTB XC

Programme objective:
To identify emerging talent of Junior category and above and provide them with an opportunity to work with us for a period of time, with the aim of graduating onto the Performance Development Programme within an agreed timeframe.

Who it’s aimed at:
Riders who are new to the sport, or new to the disciplines of Track or MTB XC but have shown some potential to perform at a high level.  Potential could have been demonstrated through another discipline or even in another sport as iDevelop provides the opportunity for talent transfer athletes. 

The project will assist the development of a small number of riders who are yet to reach the level for the Performance Development Programme, but have shown they may have potential, as well as a strong desire to succeed at British and International level in the future.  

The programme is aimed predominantly at U23 riders but not exclusively (this is not applicable to Para Programme).  Time in the sport and other factors that provide an indication of ‘head room’ will be taken into account.

The programme is a sessional based support programme.  This will provide a period of time for the riders to sample a performance programme environment and understand the commitment and expectations.  It will also provide an identification and confirmation period where the coaching team will gain knowledge of riders and further assess potential. 

Track & road training days based in Glasgow will take place monthly through the winter of 2018/19 and physiological testing / monitoring may also be part of the winter programme.  Additional training days / camps will also be planned as the coaching team feel appropriate.  MTB XC riders who are part of iDevelop will be invited to train with Performance Development riders at sessions and on camps.

How to get involved

Apply here. Closing date 19th August 2018 at 23:55