Canyon SRAM has bolstered its roster with the addition of two exciting talents, Portuguese rider Maria Martins and Finnish cyclist Wilma Aintila. Both have signed contracts that will see them racing with the World Tour team until the end of 2026, bringing fresh energy and experience to one of the top squads in women’s cycling.
Maria Martins: A track star with road ambitions
Martins, a standout in both track and road disciplines, joins Canyon SRAM after a year focused on the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 24-year-old Portuguese cyclist is already a well-established figure in track cycling, having become the first woman from Portugal to win a World Championship track medal with her bronze in the 2020 scratch race. Earlier this year, she added to her accolades with a gold in the same event at the European Championships.
Reflecting on her new team, Martins shared her excitement about the next chapter of her career. “It’s a big and important step in my career as a cyclist joining Canyon SRAM, especially after a year away from road racing to focus on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Being part of a World Tour Team at the biggest cycling races will be special,” she said.
Martins has also shown her versatility on the road, with a national road title in Portugal and an impressive fifth-place finish at Brugge – De Panne in 2023. As she looks ahead to the next season, she is determined to develop further and chase her first professional victory. “For the next season, I’m looking forward to growing as an athlete, developing my weak points, exploring my strong ones, and using them to get my first professional victory,” she said.
She is eager to contribute to Canyon SRAM’s sprint efforts and classics ambitions, noting that the team’s values align closely with her own. “Canyon SRAM has always represented professionalism, unity, and a unique atmosphere. I identify myself with its values, and having the team’s resources and support, I am confident I can grow physically and mentally as an athlete and use them to achieve the goals set out by the team,” Martins added.
Wilma Aintila: Finnish talent with big ambitions
Joining Martins at Canyon SRAM is 20-year-old Wilma Aintila, a rising star in Finnish cycling who has been steadily making a name for herself over the past two seasons. Aintila, who recently claimed the U23 ITT national title and finished second in the national road race, is thrilled to be stepping up to the World Tour level.
“I’m super excited to join Canyon SRAM! It feels like the perfect next step in my journey to becoming a professional athlete, and honestly, a dream come true,” Aintila said, reflecting on the opportunity to race at the top level. “I can’t wait to be a part of the team, smash our team goals, and keep growing as an athlete along the way.”
Aintila, known for her strength on varied terrain, is looking forward to showcasing her abilities in the classics, setting her sights on future podium finishes. “I bring strength as a powerful rider, which will make a real impact. I’m looking forward to the spring classics and one day, I aim to be on the podium for a spring classic,” she said.
Like Martins, Aintila praised the professional environment at Canyon SRAM, highlighting the team’s support structure as key to her growth. “To reach the top, everything in the background must be in place, and Canyon SRAM provides the perfect setup,” she said, adding that the trust she felt when joining the team was crucial to her decision.
