As the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift approaches, Canyon SRAM return to the race carrying the yellow jersey and the confidence of a squad that made history last July. One year on from Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney’s dramatic GC triumph, the team has revealed a well-balanced seven-rider line-up that blends climbing ability, race-winning experience, and Grand Tour depth.
There’s no escaping the difficulty of defending a Tour title, but the team is committed to the task. Niewiadoma herself arrives in a calm, focused mindset. She said the yellow jersey still holds the same appeal and isn’t something she takes for granted. “I’ve already won this race and don’t feel like I’m desperate. I want to get another yellow jersey and enjoy the moment again, but I’m not obsessed,” she said. “I care about my own performance and that of my teammates. I just want to make sure that each of us feels perfectly prepared, physically and mentally.”
Photo Credit: ASO-Thomas MaheuxBauernfeind returns after injury
Ricarda Bauernfeind missed last year’s edition after undergoing two surgeries but has fought her way back to form. “Before my surgeries, I promised myself I’d come back stronger and earn my spot on the team again,” she said. “Thanks to my coach, team, family, and everyone who believed in me, I’m here and couldn’t be more grateful. The Tour de France Femmes means so much to me. It’s where I’ve lived some of the happiest moments of my life.”
Uttrup Ludwig brings GC and stage-winning experience
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig lines up for her fourth Tour, having already won a stage and placed in the GC top ten in previous editions. “I still remember the nerves before my first one, but now I’m older and hopefully a little wiser,” she said. “Winning a stage still gives me goosebumps. Being part of the team defending the yellow jersey is both exciting and humbling. There’s pressure, of course, but it’s the kind of pressure you want as a rider.”
Bradbury prepared for the pressure
Neve Bradbury returns for her second Tour de France Femmes and says she now knows what to expect. “I was expecting a lot of hype and pressure, but it still exceeded my expectations last year,” she said. One of her most vivid memories came during the decisive final stage: “I remember riding up Alpe d’Huez with the second team car behind me, getting updates. When I found out Kasia had won, I screamed from the top of my lungs in excitement.”
Paladin reflects on the growth of the race
Soraya Paladin has started every edition of the Tour de France Femmes so far and has seen its evolution up close. “From the very beginning, you could feel the excitement and pride around this race, but each year the level rises. The media attention, the roadside crowds – everything is growing. This year, I expect more pressure, more fans, more visibility, and more motivation. It’s a race that pushes you to give everything.”
Dygert banking on consistent training block preparation
Chloé Dygert has opted for a focused block of training in the USA rather than racing in Europe this summer. “It was a much-needed break at home,” she said. “The consistency of uninterrupted training has been the best preparation for me. The only downside is not knowing how I compare to the rest of the peloton, but history shows that if I’m fit enough, I’ll be competitive.”
Skalniak-Sójka ready to fight for chances
After a strong 2025 season, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka believes she can chase a result on stages 3 and 4. “My dream is to stand on the podium this season, and I will fight for every chance I get,” she said. “The best scenario is we get a podium like last year and that we can be proud of our teamwork.”
With every rider in the line-up having prior Tour experience, Canyon SRAM bring a coherent, ambitious squad to the 2025 race. Whether or not they repeat last year’s heroics, they’ll start the Tour united in the goal of defending yellow.
Canyon SRAM 2025 Tour de France Femmes line-up
- Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney
- Ricarda Bauernfeind
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig
- Neve Bradbury
- Soraya Paladin
- Chloé Dygert
- Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka
