May 17, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Hustle’s season launch party was held on May 10 at the funky Rorschach Brewing Co. in Toroto’s east end as 150 guests shared a glass for an evening filled with celebration, cinematography and local pints.

The team kicked off the season back in March with races in Tuscon and Alabama including several O-Cups as well as their first Pro Road Tour / UCI race of the season, the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Then it was off to banging bars at the USA CRITS Speedweek followed by a full squad for the Redlands Bicycle Classic in California.

Veteran team member Anton Varabei welcomed everyone and got things underway and then passed things over to Brad Bradford, who heads up the team. Bradford explained Toronto Hustle’s philosophy is to be more than a racing team and support efforts to get more people cycling, for safer city streets, along with supporting grass roots efforts like Evergreen Brickworks.

Noah Simms was the first rider to talk about how the team has helped him grow as an athlete and a person, showing him that he’s capable of more and how to dig deep. Kurt Penno, Ethan Palamarek and new US member Sam Rosenholtz also took turns talking about the team and how different races have impacted the riders individually and helped the team bond as well.

“We can all do more,” said Bradford who is committed to building a team that makes a difference on and off the bike and Toronto Hustle continues to be actively involved in the community. “It’s important to create community and support the many sides of cycling and to make a difference both in Toronto and everywhere we travel to because cycling is more than just racing your bike.”

Kathryn Randle, one of Toronto Hustle’s founding Directors, was recently elected to the Board of Cycle Toronto and will serve as Vice-Chair. Bradford encouraged people to reach out to Randle and the team if they have progressive ideas for safer streets in Toronto.

Areas of focus the past several months for the team have been centered around healthy living, active transportation and safe streets: elementary school visits (bike safety and healthy living), Scarborough Cycles east end tour (helping to bring cycling to suburbs- access to mobility is access to opportunity), Bike Host program with CultureLink and new Canadians through the spring and summer, ongoing advocacy around safe streets and active transportation.

Most recently, Toronto Hustle spent a day of action at Evergreen Brick Works Ravines Celebration with Evergreen Canada, Scarborough Cycles and Access Alliance- riders encouraged children on bicycles, provided their expertise with community bicycle tune ups, and chatted about ongoing safe street work in the city.

The team hopes to reshape the way professional cycling is developed, delivered and sustained in North America.

Toronto Hustle 2018
Anton Varabei
Benoit Boulay
Brad Bradford
Ethan Palamarek
Evan Murphy
Kurt Penno
Kyle Boorsma
Noah Simms
Sam Rosenholtz
Trevor O’Donnell
Yuri Hrycaj