The Vancouver Island Race Training (VIRT) Project was born in the fall of 2024 as an evolution of The Cycling Co.’s long standing Dirt Squad Racing Development Program.
VIRT’s purpose: To create a platform that would enable athletes to bridge the gap from national level competition to racing the Enduro World Cup Series.
By mid 2025, VIRT athlete Elly Hoskin had won the Elite Women’s World Cup in Poland and we had succeeded in sending four athletes to the two Italian rounds of the Enduro World Cup Series.
- Chloe Bear had achieved multiple World Cup podiums in the junior women’s category
- Rhys Blair finished on the podium, finishing with the bronze medal in both Italian rounds
- Hannah Gillcrist made her first Elite World Cup appearances
Later in the summer VIRT athletes continued to perform with Elly Hoskin winning Crankworx Whistler, the Enduro World Cup in Morillon, France and the Enduro World Championships in Fiesch, Switzerland.
Elly finished fifth in the Elite World Cup overall even having missed two rounds of the series.
When the dust had settled, VIRT athletes, Chloe Bear and Rhys Blair, finished second and seventh overall in the Junior Female and Junior Male World Cup series, respectively.
We are celebrating huge success for the first year of this program!
Who is VIRT for?
Enduro athletes aged 16+ who have their sights set on progressing from national level to international level events and the UCI Enduro World Cup Series.
DH athletes are also welcome to apply.
What’s involved?
VIRT athletes are committed to a training plan and series of 5-6 training camps over the fall, winter and early spring leading into the 2026 race season.
When/Where is this all happening?
Camps will be in and around the southern regions of Vancouver Island (Cowichan Valley, Victoria, Sooke, BC).
A Few Words From the Athletes
Working with Coach Adam has played a huge part in my growth as an athlete over the past few years. Having the opportunity to collaborate on a training plan with someone who not only motivates me, but holds me accountable to my goals, has created consistency in my training habits and confidence in my capabilities.
Most importantly, a training plan that is personalized and adaptable allows me to have a sport/life balance which keeps me excited to train. Adam can see the big picture when I can’t. He encourages me to keep pushing and seize opportunities when I am apprehensive and maintains the most genuine, unwavering, positivity towards his athletes that allows them to feel supported no matter what.
Having Adam in my corner, whether it’s bringing me a finish line Pepsi, or answering my calls when competing on the other side of the world, eliminates any doubts that I haven’t prepared enough because he is a constant reminder of how far I’ve come and inspires me to keep on exceeding even my own expectations.