CANYON//SRAM Generation and Zwift have declared Maddie Le Roux as the champion of the 2023 Zwift Academy. This marks the eighth edition of the women’s Zwift Academy, serving as a platform to discover talent, with the ultimate reward being a professional contract.
Over 108,000 Zwifters engaged in the 2023 Zwift Academy programme, with three women and three men attending respective team training camps in Denia, Spain. After competing in various challenges and races, South Africa’s Maddie Le Roux and Germany’s Louis Kitzki secured contracts with CANYON//SRAM Generation and Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team, respectively.
Maddie Le Roux impressed with her robust power metrics and extensive racing background. Describing this opportunity as her final chance to advance her cycling career, Maddie approached each task with a determined yet composed focus.
Adam Szabó, Sports Director at CANYON//SRAM Generation, highlighted Maddie’s exceptional support for team leaders during the Zwift race, underscoring her suitability for the team.
Maddie, whose background includes triathlon and teaching, transitioned to full-time cycling three years ago. Despite facing challenges transitioning between teams, she entered Zwift Academy to pursue her dream of competing in Europe, an opportunity she now realises as the 2023 champion.
For Maddie, winning Zwift Academy represents her greatest cycling achievement to date. She looks forward to learning and growing within the team, setting individual goals for the upcoming season.
Representing South Africa at the African Games in Ghana this March, Maddie will join her new teammates from CANYON//SRAM Generation.
The CANYON//SRAM Generation 2024 roster comprises nine riders from diverse backgrounds, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, Germany, Uganda, Great Britain, Austria, and Nigeria.
2024 Canyon SRAM Generation line-up
Selam Amha Gerefiel (Ethiopia), Diane Ingabire (Rwanda), Anastasiya Kolesava, Maddie Le Roux (South Africa), Jule Märkl (Germany), Florence Nakagwa (Uganda), Awen Roberts (Great Britain), Daniela Schmidsberger (Austria) and Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye (Nigeria).
