AP Senior spotlight

Name: George Rand

Hometown: Boston, MA

Years on AP: 2

Favorite Cycling Discipline: Road

College Attending: University of St. Andrews

Major: Biology

How has your experience on AP Jr Development and cycling prepared you for the challenges

and opportunities of college athletics?

- Cycling has helped me recognize the value of hard work and perseverance when it

comes to achieving goals. These skills have relevance in all aspects of my life, from

preparing me for rigorous college courses to helping me push through tough training

sessions.

What have been the most significant lessons you have learned from being part of AP Jr

Development during your time in youth cycling?

- I have learned how to adapt to situations on the road quickly. In a road race or crit, the

environment is constantly changing and in order to stay ahead its necessary to be

decisive in your decision making.

Can you describe a particularly challenging moment you faced as an athlete during your cycling career and how you overcame it?

- This past season as a whole has been pretty tough with a crash and mechanicals. Cycling

is one of the few sports in which you can start an event, and not know whether you’ll be

lucky enough to cross the finish line. I dealt with the consistent rate of DNFs by finding

routine in training and focusing on improving my race strategy.

As you look back on your AP Jr Development career, what achievements are you most proud of, and how do you plan to build upon them in college?

- I am less proud about my race wins, and more proud of the work that I put into achieve

them. Winning doesn’t happen often, and it takes a lot of training to achieve goals when

racing. Going into college, I am looking forward to continuing my training, and hope to

race on an elite team.

What are your long-term goals as a cyclist, and how has AP Jr Development helped you achieve them?

- In the long term, I would like to ride at the highest level possible while also pursuing my

interests in biology and medicine. AP has given me a lot of connections and

opportunities such as taking me to GMSR and Killington stage races and connecting me

with a team manager for the Tour de l’Abitibi.