US time trial champion Carmen Small had been thinking about retiring from professional cycling when Bo Handberg Madsen approached her in early October with a proposition that piqued her interest. Madsen was looking for an experienced rider to fill a role as mentor for his young Danish squad, and he thought Small might fit the bill.
"The conversation sparked my interest because it's not a traditional team," Small told Cyclingnews. "This isn't a team with a bunch of really strong riders that will be driven only by results. It's a building program with an eye toward the future. Women's development is so important right now, and I wanted to be a part of that."
Small's role extends beyond that of a two-wheeled mentor. A recent graduate of the UCI Sport Directors eight-day program, Small is certified as a directeur sportif. The 2017 season will be one of transition for Small as she passes down the tools of her current trade and begins to learn a new one.
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"The key to this arrangement is that I get to direct some of the races this year already," said Small. "That was really influential to my decision. It's intimidating to imagine jumping into a director's position on a WorldTour level without experience. I know as a rider what I want out of a director, but I don't actually know what a director does. This gives me the opportunity to learn while I'm teaching, to get my feet wet, to have a slow transition."
Beyond racing
The experience Team Virtu Pro-VéloConcept will offer Small is part of a broader concept that the organisation hopes to use with all of its athletes. The new Riis-Seier Project, which manages both the men's team and the women's team, extends beyond bike racing.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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