Parcours Institute creates professional certification for aspiring pro cyclists

Parcours means “the route or the way” in French. It’s also the name Zach Bell has given his new cycling academy. The Parcours Institute aims to give young cyclists a well-rounded education in all the skills required to succeed as professionals. While wattage and training theory are becoming the focus for many young athletes, areas such as mechanics, nutrition, sponsorship, communication and sport psychology often fall by the wayside. Many development programs cover basic riding and training skills, but it is often beyond their scope to cover the essentials of pro-level racing. It is common for new riders on teams to be unfamiliar with concepts such as riding as a support rider, working with team dynamics, handling wheel changes, feeding from a car and staying healthy at remote races. These seemingly small skills can be the difference between getting early successes that can prolong, and even boost, a young rider’s career.

“Our goal is to raise the professionalism of cycling in North America from the bottom up,” Bell, an Olympian and 2013 Canadian road champion, said in a statement. “By producing a more professional and prepared young athlete, we will enable teams to focus less energy on developing athletes and more energy on delivering their product to sponsors.” With names such as Michael Creed (director sportif/former pro), Guy Napert-Frenette (media), Roger Freisen (mental performance) and Dotsie Bausch (Olympian/athlete advisor) involved, there is a large amount of experience available to riders who gain entry to the program. Riders hoping to attend are encouraged to apply, even if they are unsure about the cost of the program. The Institute, like many school programs, hopes to provide aid and support fund raising where possible. Month-long sessions will begin early February 2016. Early-bird pricing is currently US$4,000.

Many other careers and hobbies have become professionalized, in that they require some element of paid education and/or certification. Cycling has stuck to an experience and results-based model that favours those who either have undeniable results or who have great social skills and sufficient results. A program, such as the one Parcours is offering, may help those who have not achieved top results learn more about the elements outside of fitness that can make careers. This first running of the Parcours program may very well set the course of the sport’s future professional development pathway.