01 Feb Greg LeMond Joins Velodrome Development Foundation
American Cycling Icon Named Honorary Chairman and Project Advisor
Reading, PA, February 1, 2018: Three-time Tour de France winner and cycling industry innovator, Greg LeMond, adds his name and unique perspective to the growing list of supporters of the National Velodrome at Albright College, Greater Reading’s new $25 million multi-purpose cycling and events center and headquarters of the new World Cycling League.
LeMond has agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Velodrome Development Foundation (VDF) Board of Directors. VDF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation run by community and sports leaders to support velodrome development and drive public and collegiate programming initiatives.
LeMond will also serve as special advisor to the World Cycling League, principal developers of the velodrome and architects of TeamTrak, a new track racing format designed to modernize the sport.
“I am very excited to play an active role in this project,” LeMond said. “I’ve always understood how important track racing and indoor velodromes are to developing world-class cyclists. Plus WCL’s TeamTrak format is a much needed and exciting way to showcase top male and female track racers and create new interest in the sport.”
LeMond also stressed the importance of the velodrome’s connection to Albright College. “Albright is smart to recognize the value of this facility, not only to develop a nationally ranked collegiate team but also for the unique curriculum opportunities for product development, sports medicine, and sports event management, to name a few. I look forward to exploring these ideas with the college,” he said.
The initial connection to LeMond came through VDF board member, Steve Whisnant, former managing director of the United States Olympic Committee and a long-time friend and associate of Greg’s. “This is so right for Greg,” Whisnant said. “He and his wife, Kathy, have supported a number of philanthropic and business endeavors over the years but none that so neatly combines his desire to give back to the sport through athlete development and product innovation.”
Whisnant founded and ran World T.E.A.M. Sports, an international sports nonprofit committed to offering rich and dynamic programs through sports and cycling events to all levels of athletes, especially persons with disabilities. LeMond became a board member and his family participated in the project in the nineteen nineties. The two have been close associates ever since.
Lex McMillan, President of the Velodrome Development Foundation and President Emeritus of Albright College said, “Greg LeMond is a huge asset to our Foundation, both for his innovative ideas and for his connections to many more donors and investors in the velodrome project from the greater cycling community. We are delighted and deeply grateful that he has agreed to join us.”
About Greg LeMond. Greg LeMond’s professional cycling career includes three Tour de France victories, multiple world championships and a track record of innovative ideas for the sport and leading edge products. He was the first racer to win the Tour de France on a carbon fiber bicycle and his branded bicycles and exercise equipment have been recognized for their quality and innovation. LeMond is founder and principal of LeMond Composites in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the world’s newest carbon fiber manufacturing company that is expected to revolutionize the lightweight composites industry throughout the world. LeMond remains active in cycling as an anti-doping advocate and Tour de France commentator for Eurosport.
About the Velodrome Development Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure the success of the National Velodrome at Albright College and to promote the advancement of cycling for all ages and abilities. Its Board of Directors includes fourteen Reading and Berks County community leaders and prominent members of the cycling community.
World Cycling League is the first independently owned and funded indoor track cycling league. World Cycling League, LLC has developed TeamTrak, an innovative and proprietary format designed to bring the best elements of modern sports and business to track cycling. WCL is the principal developer of the National Velodrome and Events Center at Albright College. The company is privately owned, and is in the midst of a capital raise under the exclusive direction of Park Lane (www.prkln.com), an investment bank with expertise in the financing of sports properties.