No podium photos on our instagram grid

Cycling is so much more than racing; it’s about connection, creativity, and the culture that comes with it. We sat down with the Melbourne-based Duda team to dig into their story, one that’s as unique as it is inspiring. Named after a beloved brother lost too soon, the team is built on a deep sense of belonging and shared purpose. But don’t expect the usual cycling clichés here.

For Duda it’s not just about winning races—it’s about the friendships forged on the saddle, the post-ride gathering and the sheer joy of chasing passion on two wheels. Their effort is a valuable contribution to Melbourne’s already vibrant and active cycling community.

Blending art, design, and cycling, Duda stands out for its creativity. They embrace the grit, the rawness, and the beauty of grassroots racing while staying true to who they are.

What drives them? A love for the sport’s mythical, almost romantic side, and a desire to show that cycling can be more inclusive, expressive, and fun. Whether it’s their quirky kit designs or their thoughts on balancing the mainstream with the authentic, Duda reminds us that cycling is a lot like life—messy, meaningful, and full of surprises.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: The sense of beauty is something that unites us. The first thing that caught our attention was your way of presenting yourselves, not just in cycling but beyond. The uniform symbolizes a strong sense of belonging. By the way, what does DUDA mean?

DUDA: The name "Duda" is a tribute to Pat’s brother, who tragically passed away on the way to a bike race in 2019. It was his nickname since the age of 2, one that stuck with friends and family forever.

The team became a way to process the loss of someone dear to us—a way of reconnecting through something we all loved: riding and racing bikes with everything we had, while managing full-time jobs and living our lives.

We built the team with the idea of expressing our diverse interests and values, alongside those of our riders.

We built the team with the idea of expressing our diverse interests and values, alongside those of our riders.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: How did your cycling journey begin? Were most of you already into riding, or did you approach it later?

PAT: I started racing on the velodrome when I was 4 years old. Cycling quickly became my passion, something I was determined to excel at no matter the cost. I achieved considerable success as a junior, winning multiple national championships, and aspired to become a professional cyclist. However, the pressure I placed on myself eventually pushed me away from the sport. For a time in my early twenties, cycling felt like something I used to do, not something I loved. I had to reframe my relationship with the bike, viewing it as a tool for connection—with people and with myself—rather than just competition.

KERRY: I was 16 when I walked past a local thrift shop and saw a beautiful 70s Team Raleigh Ti road bike for $5. I bought it immediately. On my first ride, with its slim 23c tires, it felt like I was flying a rocket. That bike started my obsession with road bikes—buying, restoring, and riding them. As someone with a passion for design, I was captivated by cycling’s history, culture, and aesthetics. Over time, I collected and admired many bikes, including a Cinelli Proxima that I absolutely loved. When I turned 18, I began studying architecture, and cycling took a backseat during my studies. After graduating, I reconnected with riding and started racing local criteriums, thanks to encouragement from Damion (Duda) and Pat. I’ve now been racing crits for nearly a decade.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: What's the importance of sharing time on the saddle for you?

DUDA: For us, it’s all about the friendships and experiences. We’re both incredibly competitive, and winning races is always a thrill, but what truly matters are the rituals and culture surrounding cycling. Moments spent at cafes or pubs before and after rides are our specialty—we absolutely cherish those. The camaraderie and banter make it all unforgettable.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: It's clear that it's not just about the athletic side; there's a distinctive attitude that truly stands out. Where do your passions stem from beyond cycling?

DUDA: We stay connected to the sport by watching races and keeping up with results locally and internationally—it’s important to understand the current scene.

Cycling has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Back in high school, you wouldn’t dare tell your friends you rode a road bike and wore Lycra; now it’s more mainstream and widely accepted.

For us, the sport’s aesthetic and romance remain captivating. There’s something mythical about it, and seeing subcultures blend into cycling lately has been inspiring. Our team was born out of a group of eclectic friends who embraced our vision for a grassroots squad. This broader perspective gave the team a unique identity—a reflection of our personalities and interests.

We also worked with our friend Wes Waddell from Studio Hi-Ho to design our kit and merch, and he nailed it. Collaborating with artists and designers isn’t typical for a cycling team, but it felt natural to us. Our quirky take on a local team seems to resonate and draw attention.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: Sport is a powerful vehicle for communication, and it's clear that you aim to convey a deeper message. Where do the thoughts you share through your photos originate?

DUDA: We have a rule: no podium photos on our Instagram grid. It felt too mainstream, something every grassroots team does. Instead, we wanted the grid to be raw, expressive, and reflective of the team’s grit. We often showcase the Melbourne landscape in our imagery because the city is such a vital part of our identity. Sometimes the photos are taken by friends who are photographers; other times, it’s just an iPhone shot.

As cycling has gone mainstream, social media has become a powerful way to communicate and express aesthetics. While this can be positive, we’ve also seen people get too caught up in it, which isn’t healthy. For us, follower count doesn’t matter—whether it’s 100 or 100,000. What matters is contributing positively to grassroots racing, giving your all on the course, and always remembering to thank the volunteers.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: We’ve noticed that many fresh and inspiring ideas come from Australia. Living in a country so far away, how does that influence and inspire you to connect with the rest of the world?

DUDA: Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, and while we both have European heritage, we’ve found ourselves thriving in this distant city. Australia has a complex and dark history, but it’s also rich in culture. There’s a distinctive can-do attitude here—we just make things happen.

For years, everyone wore European cycling kits, but brands like Rapha changed the game. Ten years ago, our friends founded MAAP, and their work has put Melbourne on the global map as a cycling hub. What’s inspiring about brands like theirs is how their aesthetic and design are rooted in this place. There’s definitely something in the water here when it comes to creativity.

MENTAL ATHLETIC: The feelings and thoughts that you have during your races sound like poems. Imagine how good it would be to have one for this interview!

DUDA: We hit the highway from Melbourne to Adelaide, driving 8 hours to race 3 crits during the TDU. Along the way we railed blue berries and dark chocolate all while discussing answers for Mental Athletic.

We are mental athletes.