As the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift approaches, Canyon SRAM return to the race carrying the yellow jersey and the confidence of a squad that made history last July. One year on from Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinneyโs dramatic GC triumph, the team has revealed a well-balanced seven-rider line-up that blends climbing ability, race-winning experience, and Grand Tour depth.
Thereโs no escaping the difficulty of defending a Tour title, but the team is committed to the task. Niewiadoma herself arrives in a calm, focused mindset. She said the yellow jersey still holds the same appeal and isnโt something she takes for granted. โIโve already won this race and donโt feel like Iโm desperate. I want to get another yellow jersey and enjoy the moment again, but Iโm not obsessed,โ she said. โI care about my own performance and that of my teammates. I just want to make sure that each of us feels perfectly prepared, physically and mentally.โ
Bauernfeind returns after injury
Ricarda Bauernfeind missed last yearโs edition after undergoing two surgeries but has fought her way back to form. โBefore my surgeries, I promised myself Iโd come back stronger and earn my spot on the team again,โ she said. โThanks to my coach, team, family, and everyone who believed in me, Iโm here and couldnโt be more grateful. The Tour de France Femmes means so much to me. Itโs where Iโve lived some of the happiest moments of my life.โ
Uttrup Ludwig brings GC and stage-winning experience
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig lines up for her fourth Tour, having already won a stage and placed in the GC top ten in previous editions. โI still remember the nerves before my first one, but now Iโm older and hopefully a little wiser,โ she said. โWinning a stage still gives me goosebumps. Being part of the team defending the yellow jersey is both exciting and humbling. Thereโs pressure, of course, but itโs the kind of pressure you want as a rider.โ
Bradbury prepared for the pressure
Neve Bradbury returns for her second Tour de France Femmes and says she now knows what to expect. โI was expecting a lot of hype and pressure, but it still exceeded my expectations last year,โ she said. One of her most vivid memories came during the decisive final stage: โI remember riding up Alpe dโHuez with the second team car behind me, getting updates. When I found out Kasia had won, I screamed from the top of my lungs in excitement.โ
Paladin reflects on the growth of the race
Soraya Paladin has started every edition of the Tour de France Femmes so far and has seen its evolution up close. โFrom the very beginning, you could feel the excitement and pride around this race, but each year the level rises. The media attention, the roadside crowds โ everything is growing. This year, I expect more pressure, more fans, more visibility, and more motivation. Itโs a race that pushes you to give everything.โ
Dygert banking on consistent training block preparation
Chloรฉ Dygert has opted for a focused block of training in the USA rather than racing in Europe this summer. โIt was a much-needed break at home,โ she said. โThe consistency of uninterrupted training has been the best preparation for me. The only downside is not knowing how I compare to the rest of the peloton, but history shows that if Iโm fit enough, Iโll be competitive.โ
Skalniak-Sรณjka ready to fight for chances
After a strong 2025 season, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sรณjka believes she can chase a result on stages 3 and 4. โMy dream is to stand on the podium this season, and I will fight for every chance I get,โ she said. โThe best scenario is we get a podium like last year and that we can be proud of our teamwork.โ
With every rider in the line-up having prior Tour experience, Canyon SRAM bring a coherent, ambitious squad to the 2025 race. Whether or not they repeat last yearโs heroics, theyโll start the Tour united in the goal of defending yellow.
Canyon SRAM 2025 Tour de France Femmes line-up
- Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney
- Ricarda Bauernfeind
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig
- Neve Bradbury
- Soraya Paladin
- Chloรฉ Dygert
- Agnieszka Skalniak-Sรณjka