The USA Cycling Junior Race Series is entering its 19th year in 2011. This program has been particularly successful over the years as the Lance Armstrong Junior Race Series (LAJRS) in providing racing opportunities for junior and espoir-aged young men and women. Thanks to Lance Armstrong and his generosity, and to the cooperation and hard work of the LAJRS event organizers and their staffs, the LAJRS program has evolved into a nationally recognized junior and espoir-aged race series. The number of designated events has increased each year since 1993, from only 12 events in ten states in 1993 to 121 events in 2010. This series will continue in 2011, and its success will depend upon the continued hard work of those race organizers who are involved. USA Cycling will provide: Medals to top 3 places in each junior category offered.

Our immediate goal for the LAJRS series is to continue to grow the racing opportunities for juniors and espoirs by developing long-term partnerships with race organizers who will create safe and fun racing opportunities for boys and girls, young men and women.

The ultimate goal is to continue to increase the quantity and quality of road racing opportunities for USA Cycling licensed junior and espoir-aged riders in the United States, thus offering them the opportunity to pursue the dream of Olympic participation.

The LAJRS program promotes quality junior and espoir age bicycle racing while providing opportunities for the success and advancement of developing riders. The program will increase the quantity and quality of USA Cycling licensed junior and espoir riders in the United States, creating a larger pool of talented athletes from which to draw National Team athletes. The program is part of a USA Cycling "athlete pathway". This "pathway" provides a clear path for riders to follow from beginning racing experiences through training camps to National Teams. For more information, browse to www.usacycling.org/juniors/ and click on the links under "Program Information".

Athletes ages 14 to 22 will have the opportunity to qualify for USA Cycling Regional Camps by finishing in the top five places in each LAJRS race.

*Juniors: Automatic Athlete Development Camp Invitations are based on competitive race results from the following: At least one Top-5 finish from LAJRS or other similar caliber road events, or one or more Top-5 finishes from ADJM or other similar MTB events, both in the 15-18 age groups, or by permission based on race resume from the previous 12 months of racing prior to any camp. 14 year-old racing age athletes are eligible for camp invitation provided they have qualified racing in the 15-18 age group categories.

If a junior athlete raced in any 2011 LAJRS or regional mountain bike event (AMBC, NMBS or any other large event) after June 1 in 2010 and placed top five in 15-16, or 17-18 categories, that athlete is automatically qualified to attend any regional development camp in 2011.