The Canyon SRAM Racing team has announced a significant update to its roster, confirming the extension of Soraya Paladin’s contract through to 2025. The Italian cyclist, who showed commendable consistency with seventeen top-ten finishes in World Tour events in 2023, including impressive showings at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and Amstel Gold Race, has reiterated her commitment to the team she first joined in 2022.
Paladin conveyed her satisfaction with the team’s structured approach and their regard for the riders beyond mere performance metrics. This supportive atmosphere, coupled with the provision of top-tier equipment, facilitated her decision to renew her contract. She praised the team’s trust in her abilities and the motivation provided by her strong teammates, attributing her personal and professional growth to these factors.
Adding to the team’s strength, Justyna Czapla has been promoted from Canyon SRAM Generation to the World Tour Team, with her contract secured until 2026. Czapla, a youthful talent from Germany, has been on a steady trajectory in her cycling career, achieving a silver medal at the 2022 Junior ITT World Championships and gaining a top-ten finish at the Classique La Morbihan.
Czapla shared her elation over joining Canyon SRAM Racing, considering it a realisation of one of her grandest aspirations. She credited Canyon SRAM Generation for facilitating a smooth transition into elite cycling, enabling her to gain valuable insights into professional cycling and develop as a rider. Despite facing challenges such as adjusting to the lengthier races in the elite category, Czapla managed to overcome these hurdles and succeed, as exemplified by her performance at the 4a reVolta in Spain.
She expressed gratitude for her time with Canyon SRAM Generation, where she learned the significance of teamwork and self-belief, skills that she believes will stand her in good stead at the World Tour level. Czapla is excited to contribute to her new team and is focused on accruing experience and learning from her teammates and staff to refine her abilities as a competitive cyclist.
Main photo credit: Thomas Maheux
