HotChillee Development Rider Programme
South Africa

Since inception it has been important to HotChillee that we give back, especially to the communities we ride through in the Western Cape. Our focus has assisted with the funding of schools and AIDS clinics, ensured we use local suppliers and hire local crew, and lead to our support of local cycling organisations as part of our HotChillee Development Rider Programme.

The HotChillee Development Rider Programme started in 2011 and focused on providing a platform and ecosystem for young talented riders in the Western Cape to make the difficult transition to the pro peloton in Europe. Working in partnership with local cycling organisations including Cycling South Africa, the Pedal Power Association, Velokhaya and the Cape Town Giants we enjoyed enormous success with two riders signing professional contracts.

As part of our programme each year about 140 youth riders join the Cape Rouleur Prologue and the Rainmaker RollerCoaster, with the best riders invited to Europe to partake in our flagship LONDON-PARIS event. You can see the full 2019 Young Rider Prologue results here. Out of the early Programme a young rider, Nic Dlamini, with close to no future has been nurtured into a World Tour Pro Team, Team Dimension Data and is now a beacon of hope to the young riders at grass roots level. Many other young riders have also been exposed to what it takes to make the transition with support from of Magnus Bäckstedt, Ben Swift, and guidance from Team Dimension Data and SA star Ashleigh Moolman. The programme is currently supported by the Western Cape Government, Wahoo, Zwift and Velokhaya and has expanded in 2018 to include bike mechanics training courses by Velotech as well after school mentoring and a digital academy with our key partner, the Buffalo Foundation. We were proud to hire the first graduates from the Velotech mechanics course on the Cape Rouleur 2018.

In 2016 we held our first Development Rider Summit in Cape Town hosted by Magnus Bäckstedt, attended by Doug Ryder, the General Manager of Dimension Data, their Performance Director Carol Austin and Minister Alan Winde alongside World Tour Pros including Berne Eisel, Ben Swift and Ashleigh Moolman. Young riders were able to hear about the differences between racing in SA and Europe, ask questions about training and racing tips as well as meet some of their cycling heroes.

We’re looking forward to more exciting activities this year. Meet the 2019 Development Riders here.

 

“Having been involved in this programme since the beginning and realising how much effort goes in to developing a young rider it’s great to see the programme scale and I’m really excited to continue to be part of this amazing development.”
Team GB rider, Ben Swift

“We’re in a sweet spot for African cycling and I have big expectations for our African riders. I’m looking forward to seeing what new talent Team HotChillee bring to the table.”
Dimension Data Team Principal, Doug Ryder