CANYON//SRAM racing has confirmed its rider line up for 2017, though there is still a question mark over their ‘Zwift Academy rider’ who will be selected after the team training camp next month.
All nine of the team’s 2016 riders are staying on, and their ranks have been bolstered by the addition of former World Champion across multiple disciplines, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.
Retaining a full roster, with added riders, is something to be proud of. Having spent time with the team at their training camp before the 2016 season, we noted that there was a distinctly friendly and welcoming vibe.
“We want to inspire more women to experience the beauty of cycling.” – Director Sportif Beth Duryea
The season has been successful – but it’s clear to see there’s more to be achieved. Director Sportif Beth Duryea commented: “We had a strong presence in our first year and represented our partners with podium success, widespread media exposure, as well the implementation of fresh ideas for our sport.”
“However we’re all about looking forward. We want to be better, we want to create more fans globally, and we want to inspire more women to experience the beauty of cycling. With our core group that have learned a lot together this year, our new riders, and the invaluable support from our innovative partners, we are confident of a successful year in 2017.”
National Road Race Champions Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini and Mieke Kröger are all signed on for next year. British National Champion Barnes had a tough year, spending much of her 2016 winter in a cast after a late 2015 season crash. She said: “I’m really looking forward to the season ahead, especially to be able to come into the spring classics in good form.”
Barnes joined with Alexis Ryan for the 2016 season, both coming from US team United Healthcare. The year just gone was Ryan’s first full European season, she said: “I knew 2016 would be a year of growing pains as I made the jump from mostly US racing to a strictly European schedule. It proved to be a taxing year, but the experiences I had and knowledge I gained will aid me through what I believe will be a successful 2017 season.”
Trixi Worrack will remain the unofficial captain. After a traumatic year which saw her lose a kidney early in the season, she hopes to enjoy an injury free season – saying: “I definitely wasn’t expecting to have such a serious injury this year that required so much time off. I’m hoping to stay in good shape all season and we’re aiming for a stronger team performance.”
The German registered team also retains former World Champion Lisa Brennauer, plus Alena Amialiusik, Barbara Guarischi and Tiffany Cromwell.
Cromwell has been an ambassador for the team all year, as well as winning Stage Four of the Giro. She said: “CANYON//SRAM is one of the most professional teams I’ve been a part of during my career. I’m proud of the way we entered the women’s peloton and the precedent we have set in continuing to grow women’s cycling and being the leaders in creating change and excitement. I’m also proud of the team and how we always stick together, pick each other up when one of us are down and truly celebrate the good times together too.”
Virtual Training through Injury: Using Zwift to Survive Three Months off the Bike
The final rider, yet to be announced, will come from the CANYON//SRAM Racing Zwift Academy. Three finalists from the Zwift Academy will join the team for the final stage at the December training camp in Mallorca, Spain. One of these riders will then be offered a professional contract and will complete the team’s roster for 2017.
Check out our intro to the team from the 2016 training camp here – we can’t wait to see what the 2017 kit will look like!
