Gravity MTB, a mountain bike training/coaching business based in the Comox Valley, has launched Vancouver’s Island first professional Youth Development Race Team.
The eight-person team is focused on enduro and downhill mountain bike racing. There are six riders from the Comox Valley, one from Powell River and one from Nanoose Bay. The age range is 14-16 years.
The husband and wife team of Chad Hendren and CJ Hird own the business. To select the team, they asked riders from around the Island to provide a resume, and a letter stating their intentions, and what it would mean to be part of the team.
“We want to put some accountability on these youngsters, as well as having some fun and making the most of it,” Hendren said. “For me personally, I wish that was available to me at that age.”
The team will be racing in the Canadian National Enduro Series, the Canada Cup Downhill Series, the Island Cup Series and at Crankworx in Whistler.
“It will all be B.C.-based for this year, this being the inaugural year, and see how things go,” Hendren said. “This is our baseline, is 2018. We have some good funding from corporate sponsors, and we can potentially go out east as well.”
gravitymtb.ca