Welcome to our Race Team Program....
The LapDogs Race Team is entering its 20th season in 2023 with a robust roster across all disciplines.
The LapDogs Race Program built its foundation on the camaraderie of team members, participation in regional Ontario events and positive representation of our sponsors. Each subsequent year since inception, we have gained valuable experience and knowledge about how to develop a Race Program that is not only fruitful, but is fair, balanced and rewarding to all who participate.
We race Road, Gravel, MTB, Track, and Cyclocross.
What is racing on a LapDogs TEAM all about? And what is it not?
Racing on a Team and what it entails varies by discipline in cycling, but there are some common elements. Over the years we have seem some strong Teams represent locally, and some other groups that call themselves teams but really aren’t. Putting together a Team is work and we need to know who’s interested to see if there is value for the core members, and others who might show up from time to time due to life commitments.
What is involved on a Team?
Commitment – Being on a Team is a commitment to the program of races that the race director has identified as targets. It’s a commitment to support other team members. It’s a commitment to the training and bringing your best.
Support – Being on a Team means supporting the team. Bringing spare equipment, tools, tents, and cheers. Helping people get warmed up, dried off etc.
Work together – Being on a cycling Team means sacrificing yourself in a race for others to succeed. Provide lead outs, don’t chase teammates, communicate and ride together. Warmup and cool down together.
Debrief – Share lessons learned, equipment choices, tactics after races are over, together. We only get better when we learn.
Provide stories and content – A Team is about selling a vision and a story. Contribute to that with posts, pictures that reinforce the team messaging.
What is it not?
Sponsorships – Unless you’re racing internationally and providing content for sponsors, nobody cares if you’re racing. Very few people are needed to act as ambassadors for brands. Unless the Team is driving significant revenue to a brand, don’t expect sponsorship. If there is a sponsor, you’re expected to be “sponsor correct” while racing etc. There are a few local teams that run well with very very few sponsorships. Hustle, XSpeed, Ascent, all have few sponsors and very little money coming in from outside.
A Team Tent – Showing up at the odd race to hang out does not a make a Team. It does make a Club however.
Group Rides – Some of the most successful local and regional Teams do very little training together. Mainly they come together at races. An LDCC Team in not an opportunity to discriminate on the Saturday hammerfest or other club group rides. (Training camps and Training Rides are a bit of a different story). Something else to consider. But not here for the LDCC.
In UCI and OCA language, a Team is a separately registered entity that has a few small privileges a club does not. It does NOT need to accept all applicants, where a club does. We don’t think that here we’d actually separate membership.
Ultimately what do you get with a LapDogs Race Team? You get committed Teammates and support in/at races. You also get an amazing shared experience, memories and good times.
We race, because we love racing.
For 2023 we're looking for a committed group of racers that want to support each other and achieve their best results. To do this we can offer a variety of benefits by discipline;
Dedicated Team Training Rides
Race Team Coached Skills Sessions
Affordable Coaching and Mentoring
Dedicated Tracktime
Discounted Racebike Service (n/a during the COVID pandemic)
Team Tents, Feeds, Food, Water and a fun atmosphere.
Want to Race?
We want to grow the team in 2023. Join the Pack. If you are interested in getting involved with racing, please contact us via email or via the form.
Race Team Directors:
MTB Race Team, andy@lapdogs.ca
Cyclocross Race Team, adam@lapdogs.ca
Road & Track, rob@lapdogs.ca