Local cyclist Brandon Pruett’s achievements are starting to pay off on a much larger scale.

Pruett was recently invited by USA Cycling’s Junior Development coach to attend a training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

“It simply doesn’t take a lot to be a good cyclist regionally but it takes a total commitment to excel on the national stage”, said Trey Smith of Cycle Therapy. “Brandon is lucky to have some key people in town to help him put in the time required and they’re all chipping in to help make his dream come true”.

Pruett’s coach, Tina Pic of Atlanta, knows he has the raw talent and could make the big stage if he can maintain his discipline. Pic is a recently retired professional cyclist who has raced in Europe.

They bonded and Pic began teaching Brandon some key training points as well as showing him what true, hard training rides require.

“One thing riders always underestimate is rest,” said Pic. “You can run yourself into the ground and even though you’re going as hard as you can at that moment, you simply are not performing at your maximum potential because your body is trying to recover. Brandon is putting out some great efforts right now because he is giving his body some rest in between his super hard training days. I think he’s ready to impress in California this coming week”.

Brandon recently placed third in the Junior National Road Cycling Championships in Augusta, and placed 16th in the Junior National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bend, Ore.