www.sentinel-echo.com/local/local_story_062044821.html -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/5/2007
Last Visited: 3/5/2007
"The purpose of this is to first give an opportunity for juniors to race that they are not otherwise getting," said USA Cycling Events Manager Tom Vinson."Secondly, it's also a talent identifier."
This year 92 such events, the highest numbers since the organization was formed in 1993, have been organized.Tour de London was chosen be-cause of the route's challenging nature, as well as its 41-mile length.
"You're offering enough events and a quality race to warrant doing it," Vinson said.
While Armstrong's name is on the race series, he is not himself involved with the organization.
"He wrote a check to get the program going," Vinson explained."He also understands the purpose of giving juniors an opportunity to race.They're not sending old guys to the Olympics."
Winners of the races get invitations to cycling camps, which will be held in June in states including Arizona, California, Texas and Wisconsin.
Vinson said it not known if any riders who participated in LAJORS have gone to the Olympics.
"There's an excellent possibility, but that's difficult to document," he said.