American rider Alexis Magner will join EF Education-Oatly in 2026, bringing over a decade of professional experience and a proven track record in the classics to the squad. A former winner of Drentse Acht van Westerveld and a podium finisher at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Ronde van Drenthe, Magner arrives as both a rider with personal ambitions and as a mentor for the team’s younger generation.
For Magner, the move was inspired by the roster already in place and the supportive culture she saw at EF Education-Oatly. “I’ve been following the team and there’s some generational talent on the squad,” she said. “I really want to be part of a team that lifts each other up. I can’t wait to race alongside Cédrine and Noemi, to help them reach their goals, and to give my all for my teammates.”
Her 2025 season was abruptly halted by a serious crash at the Baloise Ladies Tour, which left her with multiple fractures and a collapsed lung. The day she was discharged from hospital, however, she signed her new contract. “That was a wild experience,” she recalled. “Mentally, I needed it at the moment. It gave me something to look forward to, the motivation to recover. Honestly, it never crossed my mind not to race again.”
Magner knows the demands of returning to the WorldTour. After stepping away from European racing at the end of 2021 due to burnout, she spent three years on the American criterium scene before realising she still had unfinished business on the road. “Being older and having that experience, I want to give back to the younger riders. My motivation has two parts: to get back to the level I know I’m capable of, and to pass on the lessons I’ve learned along the way.”
Esra Tromp, general manager of EF Education-Oatly, welcomed the signing, highlighting both her experience and resilience. “Alexis is a huge asset to our squad. She has years at the top level, she’s intuitive tactically, and her decision to return to full-time European racing shows her commitment. The combination of her racing knowledge and life perspective makes her an ideal road captain and mentor.”
Looking ahead, Magner remains realistic yet ambitious. “It’s going to be a hard road to get competitive at the WorldTour level again, but I’m excited to give my best in every race. Of course, if the opportunity comes, I’d love to get a result, but my biggest goal is to earn the trust of my teammates and show that they can rely on me. You can’t win without a team, and you can’t be part of a team unless there’s trust.”
