CISM Team Selections to be Finalized at Somerville
5 May 2006

The U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team will travel to Somerville, New Jersey to compete in Memorial Weekend races and to finalize selections for the team that will represent the United States at the Military World Championships (CISM) that will be held in The Netherlands in July.

As advertised in early March, the Tour of Somerville weekend will be used for world's team final selections for the men. There are currently six men on the U.S. Armed Forces Team and up to two more may be added for a total of eight to take to Europe in July. Selection will be based on performance history at the national and international levels, with priority given to recent performance showing a trend of continued improvement, history of strong teamwork, and performance at the Tour of Somerville weekend events. Candidates are required to have a completed application on file (link to forms and service-specific instructions below) at their service sports office and must send an Armed Forces Cycling Team standard application form (Excel file) to the Armed Forces Cycling Team manager (send to debra@armedforcescycling.org) NLT 12 May. Under no circumstances will someone be considered for team selection who just turns up on race day without prior communication, application and service sports office approval.

Permissive TDY authorization and/or financial support for competitors participating in the Somerville events will be at the discretion of the respective service sports office.

The Armed Forces Team will be racing and we'll be looking at race performance the entire weekend so it's suggested that anyone wishing to be considered for team selection should plan to participate in all three events:
27 May - THE FRANK “NAP” TORPEY MEMORAL “HILLS OF SOMERSET COUNTY" Road Race
28 May - Bound Brook Criterium
29 May - Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville

Anyone competing for selection to our World's Team must be available for the following dates:
13 Jul Arrive Germany (depart U.S. on 12 Jul)
14-21 Jul Acclimate, prepare equipment, train and participate in local training races
22-28 Jul Military World Championships hosted by The Netherlands
29 Jul Return travel from The Netherlands to Germany 30 Jul Return travel to home bases

Active duty, national guard and reserve athletes are eligible for Armed Forces Team selection. Armed Forces Team eligibility is limited to category one cyclists only. If you are a category two athlete and believe your results warrant upgrade consideration, send the standard application form (excel file) to team manager Debra Ponzio (debra@armedforcescycling.org), who will request review by our Armed Forces Liaison at USA Cycling.

Links to Service Sports web sites for application information:
To find application information and procedures for your specific service branch:
FOR AIR FORCE ATHLETES: http://www.usafsports.com
FOR COAST GUARD ATHLETES: http://www.uscg.mil/mwr/Armed%20Forces%20Sports%20Homepage.htm
FOR ARMY ATHLETES: http://www.armymwr.com/portal/recreation/sportsandfitness/application/
FOR NAVY ATHLETES: http://mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/sports.htm
FOR MARINE ATHLETES: http://www.usmc-mccs.org/sports/hf/index.cfm

It can't be emphasized enough that the key is communication -- ensure the team manager knows your intent to compete by 12 May!