Team Bäckstedt Hotchillee was launched in 2017 as a merger of the Hotchillee Development Rider Programme in SA and the Bäckstedt Cycling Academy in the UK. The aim is to foster young cycling talent in Europe and South Africa and creating a pathway into the pro peloton.
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 Wattbike, ORYX Stainless, The Western Cape Government and cycling organisations including Cycling South Africa, the Pedal Power Association, Velokhaya and the Cape Town Giants we enjoyed enormous success with two riders progressing to the Team Dimension Data Continental Team based out of Lucca in Italy.
Many other young riders have also been exposed to what it takes to make the transition with support from of Ben Swift, UAE Abu Dhabi (formerly Team Sky) and guidance from Team Dimension Data riders, Tour de France legend Stephen Roche and Cervelo Bigla rider Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.