NCYD Unveils Expanded 2027 Youth Cycling Pathways Combining Elite Performance Coaching with Community-Centered Youth Mentorship
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – September 22, 2026 — The National Center for Youth Development (NCYD), a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through cycling, announces the appointment of World Championship Silver Medalist and five-time French Cyclocross National Champion Caroline Mani as NRTH WERX Team Director and Coach. The appointment coincides with the launch of NCYD's updated 2027 Devo Team pathways—NRTH DEVO and NRTH WERX—offering tracks designed to support intermediate-to advanced-level youth riders while fostering character, leadership, and communitystewardship.
Caroline Mani joins NCYD with an elite background in international competitive cycling and professional athletic coaching. Her athletic career includes winning the Silver Medal at the 2016 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, a Bronze Medal at the 2016 UCI European Championships, five elite French Cyclocross National Championships, and multiple podium finishes across the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit. Mani earned a Master's Degree in Business and Management in 2011 and has served as an expert coach with Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) for over a decade. In her new leadership role, Mani will design and execute rider development strategies, facilitate specialized technical skills camps, and direct on-site race management for the NRTH WERX Team.
Concurrently, NCYD's 2027 pathway expansion introduces two team pathways. Both place equal emphasis on character building, community engagement, and social events, while granting members access to bike practices, strength training, and adventure trips.
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NRTH DEVO (Development): Designed for youth looking to deepen a commitment to cycling, elevating core trail skills, confidence, and building community in a fun, supportive environment on and off the bike.
NRTH WERX (Performance): Focused on development through performance and designed for motivated youth & U23 riders seeking national-level mountain bike racing with structured race-weekend execution and direct professional support.
In her own words, Caroline stated: "I'm thrilled to join NRTH WERX as Team Director for 2027. I'm looking forward to sharing my experience with the next generation of riders, helping them grow not just as athletes but as people, learning the values that this sport teaches so well. And of course, having a whole lot of fun along the way."
"Last year's iNRTH WERX debut set the pace for rapid progression, and Caroline is the logical, strategic next step in NCYD's dedication to whole athlete development along the entire performance continuum. We're thrilled to have her taking the lead and look forward to a blazing sophomore season in 2027," said Bruce Martens, Founder of NCYD.
Applications for both 2027 pathways are open via the NCYD website. The application deadline is October 16 for NRTH WERX and December 18 for NRTH DEVO.
Mani will be with NCYD in Minneapolis, MN, September 26 and 27 at Theo Wirth for the MCA event, where NCYD is MCA's In-Kind Sponsor for the Skills Zone. We welcome interested youth and families to stop by to learn more about NCYD and the NRTH DEVO and NRTH WERX pathways for intermediate to advanced youth riders in 6th grade or older.
About National Center for Youth Development (NCYD)
The National Center for Youth Development is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers youth to build community, identity, and purpose on and off the bike. Guided by a Youth Board of Directors supported by an Adult Board of Directors, NCYD delivers inclusive mountain biking, outdoor adventures, strength training, and community stewardship initiatives across the Twin Cities metro area. For more information, visit ncydevo.org.
