CANYON//SRAM Generation, entering its third year, has announced its roster for the 2024 season, marking the first time the development team will field nine riders. Diane Ingabire and Daniela Schmidsberger will continue for their second season, joined by six newcomers to the Women’s Continental Team. The ninth member will be the 2023 Zwift Academy winner, set to be announced early next year.
The team, which started in 2022 as part of CANYON//SRAM Racing’s diversity and inclusion initiative, aims to provide a fresh pathway to the top level of the sport. Recruitment has focused on but not limited to, riders from countries underrepresented in the women’s peloton. These riders are given resources and opportunities to live, train, and race in Europe, with full support for a successful professional cycling career.
CANYON//SRAM Generation has already proved its worth, with Ricarda Bauernfeind and Antonia Niedermaier progressing to the World Tour Team in 2023. Their successes, including stage wins at the Giro d’Italia Donne and Tour de France Femmes, demonstrate the team’s commitment to nurturing talent. Other riders have achieved top-ten finishes in UCI races, national championships victories, and Pan-American Games medals. In 2024, Justyna Czapla will make the leap to the World Tour Team.
Sports Director Adam Szabó expressed excitement for the new season, with a focus on providing a platform for as many talented riders as possible. He noted the joy in offering opportunities to riders from diverse backgrounds and guiding them in the professional racing environment.
The 2024 roster includes:
Selam Amha Gerefiel (Ethiopia)
Diane Ingabire (Rwanda)
Anastasiya Kolesava (Belarus)
Jule Märkl (Germany)
Florence Nakagwa (Uganda)
Awen Roberts (Great Britain)
Daniela Schmidsberger (Austria)
Ese Lovina Ukperesaye (Nigeria)
Zwift Academy Winner (TBC)
Selam Amha, with a background in football, transitioned to cycling in 2016. Despite facing challenges, she has achieved significant success, including multiple national championships and representation at the Tokyo Olympic Games. She credits her time with the World Cycling Centre (WCC) for boosting her confidence and is eager to contribute to CANYON//SRAM Generation.
Diane Ingabire, looking forward to her second season, is focused on hard work and teamwork. Anastasiya Kolesava, with five years of European racing experience, aims to guide her teammates and achieve podium finishes. Jule Märkl, inspired by her early exposure to cycling, is excited about her development and contributing to the team’s success.
Florence Nakagwa’s journey in cycling began during the Covid-19 pandemic and led to national championship victories and participation in the UCI World Championships. Awen Roberts, inspired by Geraint Thomas, is determined to excel in challenging terrains and support her team. She has also just received a grant from The Cyclists’ Alliance and Strava for the upcoming season. Daniela Schmidsberger, moving into her second year, reflects on her growth and looks forward to building on her experiences.
Ese Lovina Ukperesaye, motivated by witnessing women’s cycling in Switzerland, overcame a lack of opportunities in Nigeria to become National and Continental Champion. She is thrilled to join CANYON//SRAM Generation and represent Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
