Sarah Roy, the former Australian national champion, has signed with EF-Oatly-Cannondale for the 2025 season, adding her wealth of experience to the team’s classics squad. The 38-year-old, who has been racing professionally since 2013, is set to wear the team’s signature pink kit and will focus primarily on the one-day classics in the upcoming season.
Roy’s cycling journey began unexpectedly after she transitioned from gymnastics and triathlon during her time as a university student. Reflecting on her early days in the sport, Roy admitted, “I was terrible. I always came dead last. I didn’t grow up watching cycling. I had never heard of the Tour de France.” Despite this rocky start, it was her VO2 max and data from the Australian Institute of Sport that hinted at her potential, and she was soon immersed in cycling, taking part in talent camps to develop her skills.
Since then, Sarah Roy has built an impressive palmarès, with victories at races such as the Navarra Elite Classics, the SwissEver GP Cham-Hagendorn, and the Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik. She has also secured stage wins at the OVO Energy Women’s Tour and the Simac Ladies Tour.
EF-Oatly-Cannondale general manager Esra Tromp expressed her excitement about the new signing, noting that Roy’s extensive experience would be invaluable to the team. “When meeting Sarah, there was an immediate click. From the beginning, it was clear she understood what her role could be and the impact she could have on the team. Sarah is a rider with a lot of experience, on and off the bike. She will strengthen our classics squad as an extra card to play in the finales and as a fierce teammate,” Tromp said.
Roy’s passion for one-day races is evident, though she enjoys the balance of mixing stage races into her season. “One-day races, stage races – I like it all. I really want to be a lead rider for some of the classics, but it takes a lot of mental and physical energy. It’s also refreshing to then switch to stage racing where I can go all in for my teammates,” Roy shared. “I love motivating and encouraging other people and helping them get the best out of themselves. That’s what I focus on.”
Now in her late 30s, Roy believes her experience only makes her stronger. “Every year I’m getting stronger still,” she said. “I know how my body responds to training so I know what to do to get the best out of myself. There are a lot of things I still want to achieve.” Roy also recognises the importance of using her knowledge to support her team. “I’m at that point in my career where I’d like to give back and share my experiences now,” she said.
Her focus on growth extends beyond individual performance. She emphasised the collaborative atmosphere within EF-Oatly-Cannondale, stating, “I am really passionate about growing with the team. I feel there is so much value to come from riders contributing to the growth of teams, and vice versa. EF-Oatly-Cannondale really appreciates that, and it’s the kind of environment I want to be in.”
