Increasing firepower of the gravel team - adding more riders & partners

Under the curious eyes of numerous spectators and cyclists at Velofollies, we unveiled our Factory Gravel Team.

The team, also backed by Ridley, is set to become the first professional factory team in the gravel discipline. 
Classified entered the gravel circuit in 2023 as a one-man team with Dutchman Piotr Havik; shortly after Daan Grosemans joined the team during the season. Now the company is lending its name to an additional three British gravel talents: Brits Toby Perry, Annabel Fisher, and Freya Rawlins.  

The team, dubbed the Classified x Ridley Factory Team fuelled by Foodmaker, will race an international schedule, including the UCI Gravel World Series and the Gravel Earth Series, an international ranking of seven gravel races. The team has high ambitions: Toby Perry has already won the UCI World Series gravel race of Millau (France) in 2023, while Annabel Fisher won the final classification of the Gravel Earth Series last year. The UCI Gravel World Championships in Leuven at the beginning of October will be one of the highlights of the season.  

The riders have access to various gravel and all-road bikes from Ridley, allowing them to tailor their race bikes to the terrain, ensuring they always have the most suitable bike. The bikes will also be equipped with the Classified’s drivetrain system, which is most innovative drivetrain of the bike industry. Classified brings its revolutionary Powershift hub to the table, offering a unique shifting system perfect for the challenges the team will face. The wireless system, protected from dirt and mud, sets a new standard in gravel racing. Another unique feature is that each rider's bike is finished in its own accent color. 

The collaboration between Classified Cycling and Ridley, both passionate about gravel and innovation, is also supported by nutritional experts Foodmaker and bike leasing company Cyclis as co-sponsors. All partners are committed to strengthening the team and to contributing to the growth of the gravel scene. 

Belgian cycling legend Tom Boonen, a Classified ambassador himself, will also be supporting the team. He expressed his belief in the gravel scene and highlighted the positive development of the Classified x Ridley collaboration. Boonen sees the partnership as the beginning of a promising story for the team. Ex-pro Bert De Backer presented the team at the Classified stand during Velofollies, giving an insight into the exciting future of the Classified x Ridley Factory Team. 

With the gravel season just around the corner, the Ridley-Classified collaboration is set to make waves in the world of gravel cycling. Stay tuned for updates on the team's performances and successes throughout the season!