Toronto Hustle announced that he was turning professional. In a statement, the team said it is entering its sixth season, it will step it up with a 2022 UCI continental license, coupled with a calendar that includes road events, women’s gravel and a series of plans to help create stronger cycling. culture.

The team firmly believes that the national stage is a means of developing professional cyclists. They said that while many look to Europe for professional riding, Toronto Hustle is keen to support Canadian athletes and North American racing by investing in professional licensing, professionalizing operations, adding top talent and ensuring athletes have access to the biggest races on the continent. .

“We are committed to rebuilding the professional racing scene in North America and to being part of the growth and expansion of the cycling community,” said Kathryn Randle, Director of Toronto Hustle. “As we rise through the professional ranks, we have been able to recruit phenomenal talent that will ensure we are competitive in all of the biggest races in North America.”

A new professional team, for Toronto.

As we enter our 6th season, we are thrilled to announce that we will be stepping up to the pro ranks for 2022! pic.twitter.com/EsQDdZTiGI

—Toronto Hustle (@Toronto_Hustle) January 20, 2022

While the 2022 race and community agenda is extensive, the focus will be on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar to support the team’s commitment to the professional racing scene in North America.

New runners are coming

The team signed several new riders, including:

– Matteo Dal-Cin, winner of numerous UCI races, a National Road Championship, a virtual Tour de France stage and a well-known domestic on the World Tour circuit with Rally Pro Cycling.
– Michael Foley, who just made an Olympic appearance with the team pursuit team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
– Edward Walsh, joining the professional continental team X-Speed ​​United, who hold several national titles and were U23 national champions.

In addition to retaining its current members, the Toronto-based team will continue to grow its roster of professional athletes, while inspiring new riders to join the men’s and women’s teams. The full roster will be announced shortly.

The women’s gravel team continues

After launching one of the first all-female gravel teams in Canada in 2020, Toronto Hustle plans to continue to grow the female cycling community. This year, four strong riders representing Toronto will line up at marquee gravel events across North America, including Unbound Gravel and Big Sugar.

Coupled with veteran leadership and coaching from one of North America’s top managers and off-bike mentorship from network partners, Toronto Hustle will also align what could be the next generation of cyclists through the junior development team in 2022. In 2021, the team held podiums at under-23 level (U23 national championship and best young rider ranking in international stage races.)

More than a bike

Since Toronto Hustle’s inception in 2016, the team has been involved in the community, both on and off the bike. For example, the team helped raise more than $750,000 for frontline healthcare workers and mental health programs through “CrushCOVID,” a recently concluded “Gravel Run for Lyme” event in the New York area. Niagara which has raised nearly $80,000 for vital Lyme disease research and ongoing road safety advocacy to help advance cycling infrastructure.

“It has been a difficult 2 years for everyone as we focused our collective energy on fighting the global pandemic. But with better days on the horizon, we are committed to rebuilding the professional racing scene in North America, while continuing our efforts to make our streets safer and get more people riding bikes. Let’s go!” Brad Bradford, co-founder said.