Antonia Niedermaier has extended her contract with Canyon SRAM through to the end of the 2028 season, committing to a team she’s been part of since her first pedal strokes in the elite ranks. It’s a major investment in a rider whose development has been fast, structured and shaped around long-term GC ambitions.
Now in her third year with the WorldTeam after stepping up from Canyon SRAM Generation in 2022, Niedermaier’s new deal signals mutual belief in the trajectory she’s following. It also brings continuity to a project that’s been carefully built from the ground up.
Reflecting on the decision, Niedermaier said it was “a really nice feeling to re-sign.” She added: “I really enjoy the team – I feel like it’s a second home for me, and I’ve been in the team since I started cycling. It’s been like a journey together. I decided with my heart, and I really feel like it is the right decision.”
From ten race days to WorldTour wins
When Niedermaier first arrived, she was largely unknown in road cycling terms, a teenager with fewer than ten race days on the road. But within months, she’d won the Tour de l’Ardèche overall and claimed two stage wins. It was a clear sign of her raw talent and a marker of what was to come.
Team manager Ronny Lauke has guided her through that growth and sees the extension as a natural continuation. He recalled: “Antonia joined us early in her career – if I remember correctly, she had fewer than 10 road race days at that point. We’ve shared a long road together, with both significant setbacks and high peaks. I felt the pathway had to continue so we could keep growing together. Apart from being a driven athlete, she’s also polite and caring, which I truly value in our team.”
By 2023, Niedermaier was winning at the Giro d’Italia Donne and on the world stage with the U23 time trial title. A year later, she defended that rainbow jersey, confirming her consistency as much as her talent. She opened 2025 with youth classification wins at both the UAE Tour and Itzulia.
But the journey hasn’t been without pressure. “When I joined the team, I literally had just started cycling, so I think I’ve developed and learned a lot since then,” she explained. “For sure, there were times when I felt overwhelmed and questioned, ‘Do I really want to be a cyclist?’ But the team was always there to support me, saying, ‘Yes, you can do it, we believe in you.’ I also know that Ronny has always believed in me, which is a great feeling. I think that’s also why I’ve developed so much in these last few years.”
GC future, but not just a climber
While the long climbs suit her, Niedermaier’s time trialling has made her potentially one of the most balanced stage racers of her generation. She won the Tour de l’Avenir time trial in 2023 and has consistently proven capable of holding her own against the clock.
“There are many things I want to achieve in cycling,” she said. “For one, I really want to win the Giro one day – that’s a big goal. I also think I can perform well in the classic races, so I’m looking forward to more of those.”
Lauke believes she’s on track for that level, stating: “In my opinion, she’s one of the future GC contenders – strong on long climbs, combined with an excellent TT ability. She’s still very young but brings a strong mindset. She cares deeply about those around her, is a true team player, and has the ability to shine individually when the moments come.”
From ski mountaineering to WorldTour podiums
Before cycling, Niedermaier was already excelling in endurance sport. She came to cycling via ski mountaineering, where she won a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships and competed at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. In 2021, she began racing for a local junior women’s team and quickly made an impact – by the end of the year, she had placed third in the junior time trial at the UCI Road World Championships.
“I recognised quite quickly that cycling is the sport I want to be in,” she said. “I really enjoy it, and that’s the most important thing – it’s all about enjoying it and having fun. That’s why I set a three-year contract, because I feel like it’s the right team for me, and I’m still young. I think it’s better, especially when you’re young, to stay in one team longer to develop and get familiar with everything. Right now, I feel at home in the team, and I’ve really settled here, which feels nice and reassuring.”
