DUDA - Grit, Grace, Grassroots is an idea which spawned in 2019 through intense reflection following the passing of Damion Drapac (DUDA). The idea of starting a grassroots cycling team which emphasizes the beauty of local club racing and the cycling community; this is what excited Damion. Beauty exists in local club racing, the competition, the comradery. The local scene is primed with passionate cyclists. Once the racing is over, everyone congregates at their favourite café, reflecting on the shenanigans of the race, laughing, and having a good time. This is beauty at its core. 

We’re a low-fi grassroots cycling team focused on local racing and engagement with the cycling community. The name refers to Damion Drapac (DUDA) but the team is not about the individual - it is about his attitude, a well-rounded person who thrived in club racing. We want to develop riders with this attitude.

Team Structure: The team is led by Patrick Drapac and Kerry Kounnapis. We have an empahsis on mentorship and assisting younger riders to navigate the turbulance of adulthood and racing their bikes. The team is structured in a way where there is a 1:1 senior to junior rider ratio. The members of the team are deeply immersed in the local cycling community, championing grassroots cycling. We have no intention to turn riders into professional cyclists, but into professionals; encouraging them to also pursue other areas of interest away from the bike such as study or career. To supplement, we offer the team experiences through travelling and exploring cycling at it’s core.