Canyon-SRAM Generation celebrates its 4th season in the professional Peloton, and as Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto has confirmed that in 2025 it will support 9 riders at the Continental level and renew its contract with returning riders Selam Amha Gerefiel, Maddie Le Roux, Jule Märkl and Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye.

The team confirmed in a press release on Friday that it continues to "forge new paths" for cyclists who aim to reach the highest levels by "identifying and developing riders from undervalued countries while welcoming talent globally."

"By helping to bridge the gap between grassroots potential and elite competition, the Canyon-SRAM generation redefines the opportunities of professional women cycling, and peloton's diversity

Selam Amha Gerefiel, the current Ethiopian road race champion, is the World Cycling Center run by UCI." After spending three seasons with the (WCC) team, he joined the Canyon-SRAM generation team earlier this year. 

"Being part of the Canyon-SRAM generation was very important to get support to continue working on my professional career. It was a tough season, but I still learn a lot and I'm happy to have the opportunity to stay with the team in 2025 and continue working on my development," she said.

"I especially enjoyed the race on the Polish Princess Annavas Tour. There was great teamwork and it was special to see how much we improved from the beginning of the season. I owe a lot to the team and am determined to work hard in 2025. I dream of winning the race myself and seeing my team win the race next season."

Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye, former Nigerian road race champion and gold medalist at the African Continent Championships 2023, also joined the team at the start of the season but said she almost left the sport because there were limited racing opportunities.

In 2024, she achieved success with 2 medal performances in time trials and road races at the African Games in Accra, and also represented the country at the Olympics in Paris. In the Canyon-SRAM generation, she continued to build experience and skills in some of the pro series.1 and.2 one-day races and stage races on the international calendar. 

"Before joining Canyon-SRAM Generation, I was close to stopping by pro cycling because I was tired of training that lacked racing opportunities. The team has had a huge impact on my future by allowing me to become a professional cyclist, and this 2024 season has been very valuable to me," she said.

"The team environment has improved my skills and abilities more than I could have imagined. I was scared to be in the Peloton during the race. But my confidence has grown thanks to guidance from my coaches and teammates. I was also afraid of climbing, but I have improved my skills in coaching, guidance and advice over the season. 

"I am particularly proud to have participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics. I'm also proud of my teammates. For example, Awen (Roberts) is particularly smart, caring and determined to do her best in all races. She brings me joy, especially during the days leading up to my home trip to Nigeria, she supported me a lot."

Maddie Le Roux from South Africa and Jule Märkl from Germany are also due to be with the team for another season. Both riders joined the team earlier this year, with Märkl and Le Roux, promising riders coming straight from junior, bringing several years of racing experience in the wcc team.  

"I found it difficult physically and mentally to step from the junior to the elite category. Fortunately, I got good support from the team and learned a lot about being a professional rider, my tactics and the role of all the team members who contribute to the team's goals," says Märkl.

"Having the opportunity to do some races with WorldTour Riders helped my development and after racing many different races we were always encouraged to have courage and aggressive riding style, I began to understand what kind of rider I was."

Le Roux has some additional experience from racing with the Wcc team, but racing with the Canyon-SRAM generation is valuable to her career development and professional team

"We hope that so many valuable 'bricks' are placed and can be built on going into next season." It's a good idea. I fully trust this team to help me become the best rider I can be," she said.

"Being away from home is never easy, especially with all that has happened in my personal life this year. But this team is special. My teammates always made me feel better when I felt a little down; the environment around this team is like one big family as they took me for coffee and we ease karaoke nights; We looked out for each other and as a rider, it made me feel like I belong."

Additional signings for the Canyon-SRAM Generation roster will be announced at a later date.