Cycling Australia (CA), the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Jayco heralded a new era for Australian cycling in Canberra today at the official launch of the 2013 Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy.

A re-shaping of the successful Jayco-AIS Continental team, the new-look Academy will provide the pathway for Australia’s most talented Under 23 riders into the World Championship, Olympic Games and professional ranks.

CA’s Performance Director Kevin Tabotta said that the Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team will be presented as the Australian national team in all European races.

"We are always keen to implement new methodology and structure toour programs to ensure we are growing the high performance environments, and evolving to handle the current international scene,” said Mr Tabotta.

“The Academy will provide increased international racing opportunities for our emerging talent and will also provide room for Australian UCI continental and NRS teams to have a greater involvement in the development of these young athletes.

"Additionally, this structure will help ensure that athletes stay motivated, professional and challenged throughout the long season. There will be great upward pressure, with riders on the fringes challenging for spots," Mr Tabotta said.

AIS Director Matt Favier said partnerships between the sport sector and private enterprise were important in an increasingly competitive global sporting environment.

“We have great expectations that both track and road cycling will make asignificant contribution to achieving the goals set out when we launched Australia’s Winning Edge last year,” Mr Favier said.

“Supporting our best young talent is critical to long term international sporting success, which is why we are happy to continue partnering with Cycling Australia and its sponsors to provide the best environment for athletes to achieve their full potential.”

Managing Director Gerry Ryan is eager to see support from Jayco transfer into international results.

"The Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy is an exciting concept and Jayco is pleased to be continuing to work with Cycling Australia and the AIS to support a pathway for Australia's most talented young riders," said Mr Ryan.

Members of the men’s team have completed a training camp at the AIS aheadof their final event in Australia, the Oceania Road Championships in Canberra later this week, before the team’s first event in the European road season at the Giro del Belvedere in Italy on April 1.

2013 Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy riders:

• Alex CLEMENTS (TAS)
• Alex EDMONDSON (SA)
• Caleb EWAN (NSW)
• Campbell FLAKEMORE (TAS)
• Damien HOWSON (SA)
• Brad LINFIELD (WA)
• Alex MORGAN (VIC)
• Mitch MULHERN (QLD)
• Adam PHELAN (ACT)