How to Contact us:
Colavita U19 Racing Team
Dan Coleman
Director
973-885-1862
CallDano@aol.com
Barrie Drabble
General Manager
908-797-2581
BarrieDrabble@hotmail.com
Dawn Wylong
Manager – Womens Program
908-268-6771
Spin.Mistress@patmedia.net
Something is
growing very fast in New Jersey, and across the whole USA, and it’s about to take off like a rocket! The Colavita U19 Racing Team has a vision of
the future of bicycle racing in the USA and it is beginning to make it happen.
Heads are turning throughout the industry as this junior racing team storms
through the sport, winning races across the state and attracting novice riders
to the sport.
Colavita
is sponsoring cycling at all levels, including two highly successful
pro-cycling teams and many regional amateur teams throughout the country. The
company has resolutely shown a full commitment to building the sport. With the
sincere hope and vision that supporting a child’s dream today, can become a
professional cyclist’s reality tomorrow.
In recent years,
despite the increasing popularity of cycling as a sport in the USA, there has been a decline in the junior ranks. The Colavita program has recognized this
trend and has found a way to reverse it. With a whole new approach they are
able to present bicycle racing as a legitimate alternative to traditional ball
sports. This program comes at a time when parents want to respond to worrying
statistics about childhood obesity, poor health and lack of physical exercise.
Sadly for many families the demands of most sports programs are just too much
to fit into the busy family schedule.
The Colavita U19 Racing Team is a
breath of fresh air for parents, and is being embraced by young people across
the state from ages 8 – 18. The team has over 60 riders and all of the Colavita
U19 riders join the team as newcomers to the sport, the excitement spreads as
they return with their friends, brothers and sisters. This sport is exciting
and the excitement is contagious.
After
recognizing the success of the Colavita program, the NJBA, (the governing body
of competitive cycling in New Jersey), has called upon Colavita to assist all of the NJ clubs with their own U19 development. The NJBA has stepped up its own
U19 racing program and is planning for the rapid growth expected in the sport. This
year will feature a series of racing clinics for juniors only, plus additional U19
races on the major race schedule and a resurgence of junior 
development within the local bike clubs.
The worlds biggest and most prestigious bicycle race, the Tour de France has been won by a USA rider, ten times in the last 20 years.. Both Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond and many other successful US world champions began their professional cycling careers in the junior ranks.The USA has proved it can dominate in this traditionally European sport, and Colavita is prepared to show the way for the next generation of champions.
Dan Coleman (director), Barrie Drabble (manager) and Dawn Wylong (manager) are all dedicated licensed cycling coaches, drawing on three very different cycling backgrounds but united in their vision for the team. They all have made a commitment to develop the team over the next decade. For them the team has truly become a "labor of love". They often provide loaner bikes to new riders from their personal stable, building team bikes and wheels and coordinating field trips. Under their dedicated guidance and personal instruction the team has won multiple state championships in all cycling disciplines (Track, Road and Mountain) as well as traveling further, to stage races such as the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic, The Tour de FCCC, and the Can-Am Challenge.
The junior team also volunteers to help with local trail
maintenance and at promotional and charitable events.
Colavita’s Professional team riders are often available to talk with the juniors, to offer advice, share experiences and their love of the sport..
