Former professional boxer Sophie Alisch will swap gloves for handlebars next season, joining Canyon SRAM Generation on a full-time contract for 2026. The 23-year-old German athlete, based in Mallorca, makes the move after a decade-long boxing career that saw her rise to world top-ten status before announcing her retirement from the sport earlier this year.
“It honestly feels surreal,” Alisch said. “To join a team with such a strong identity, such depth, and so much purpose is a huge honour. I come from a different sport, a different world in many ways, but from the very first conversation I felt that this team understood what drives me. It feels like the perfect place to grow, learn, and prove myself all over again.”
Alisch, who won her first German national title at just 14 and went on to become the youngest ever member of Germany’s Elite Olympic Team, said the switch to cycling was driven by a desire to take on a new challenge. “Cycling started as a quiet passion while I was fully focused on boxing, but over time it grew into something I could no longer ignore. I wanted to push myself in a new way, to challenge my body, my mind, and my limits. For me, switching sports is not about leaving one life behind; it’s about embracing a new mountain to climb and proving once again what I’m capable of.”
The Berlin-born fighter retired undefeated as a professional and brings with her the mindset of a lifelong competitor. “Coming from world-class boxing, I bring a certain mentality: discipline, resilience, and an all-in attitude. I know how to suffer, how to fight through pain, and how to stay focused when things get tough. I think that mindset can add something to the team environment. I also want to support my teammates, learn from them, and hopefully give some of that fighter’s spirit back in return.”
Canyon SRAM general manager Ronny Lauke said the team was excited to welcome Alisch as part of its commitment to developing talent through unconventional pathways. “Since the beginning of Canyon SRAM nearly ten years ago, we’ve prided ourselves on opening new routes into top-level women’s cycling. Giving Sophie the chance to transition from the elite level of a completely different sport into professional cycling is bold, but it’s something we’re familiar with. She’s ambitious, focused, and driven, and this mindset will serve her very well. We look forward to supporting her as she develops into the best rider she can be.”
Alisch’s signing is the first confirmed addition to the Canyon SRAM Generation roster for 2026, with further announcements expected in the coming months. For the former boxer, it marks the start of a new chapter – one she hopes will be just as hard-fought as her battles in the ring.
Main photo credit: Thomas Maheux
