ANTONIA NIEDERMAIER EXTENDS THROUGH TO 2028

It’s official – Antonia Niedermaier has extended her contract with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto through to the end of 2028, marking a seven-year journey across both the development squad and WorldTeam.

“It’s a really nice feeling to re-sign. I really enjoy the team – I feel like it’s a second home for me, and I’ve been in the team since I started cycling. It’s been like a journey together. I decided with my heart, and I really feel like it is the right decision.”

Team Manager Ronny Lauke sees Antonia as a long-term fit – not only for her athletic potential, but for who she is off the bike.

“Antonia joined us early in her career – if I remember correctly, she had fewer than 10 road race days at that point. We’ve shared a long road together, with both significant setbacks and high peaks. I felt the pathway had to continue so we could keep growing together. Apart from being a driven athlete, she’s also polite and caring, which I truly value in our team.”

After first signing with CANYON//SRAM Generation for the 2022 season, Antonia launched her elite racing career in May that year after finishing school, bringing her race day tally into the double digits. Just a few months later, she claimed two stage wins and the overall title at Tour de l’Ardèche. Swiftly elevated to the WorldTeam for 2023 and 2024, her rapid rise has continued – despite initial doubts.

“When I joined the team, I literally had just started cycling, so I think I’ve developed and learned a lot since then. For sure, there were times when I felt overwhelmed and questioned, ‘Do I really want to be a cyclist?’ But the team was always there to support me, saying, ‘Yes, you can do it, we believe in you.’ I also know that Ronny has always believed in me, which is a great feeling. I think that’s also why I’ve developed so much in these last few years.”

A stage win at the Giro d’Italia Donne and victory in the U23 Time Trial World Championships were standout highlights in Antonia’s 2023 season, alongside a Tour de l’Avenir Femmes time trial victory in the rainbow bands. She successfully defended her U23 world title in 2024, and 2025 is already off to a strong start with youth classification wins at the UAE Tour and Itzulia. Her results, and the professionalism she brings both on and off the bike, signal that Antonia is just getting started.

“There are many things I want to achieve in cycling. For one, I really want to win the Giro one day – that’s a big goal. I also think I can perform well in the classic races, so I’m looking forward to more of those.”

Ronny shares her ambition, and firmly believes she has what it takes.

“In my opinion, she’s one of the future GC contenders – strong on long climbs, combined with an excellent TT ability. She’s still very young but brings a strong mindset. She cares deeply about those around her, is a true team player, and has the ability to shine individually when the moments come.”

Cycling wasn’t Antonia’s first brush with endurance sport. In 2019, she took up ski mountaineering – the pursuit of climbing and descending snow-covered mountains. She quickly found success, finishing third at the Junior World Championships in her debut major event and competing at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. While continuing to post strong international results in skimo, her cycling journey began in 2021 with a local junior women’s team. Just like in her first endurance discipline, she rose rapidly through the ranks, claiming third in the Junior Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships.

Despite a strong pull towards the mountains along with the pressures of school and questions about whether top-level cycling was truly for her, Antonia never doubted her love for the sport itself.

“I recognised quite quickly that cycling is the sport I want to be in. I really enjoy it, and that’s the most important thing – it’s all about enjoying it and having fun. That’s why I set a three-year contract, because I feel like it’s the right team for me, and I’m still young. I think it’s better, especially when you’re young, to stay in one team longer to develop and get familiar with everything. Right now, I feel at home in the team, and I’ve really settled here, which feels nice and reassuring.”

With an exceptional gift for endurance sports, her sight firmly set on cycling, and dazzling performances already behind her, the possibilities for what Antonia could achieve in the next three years are genuinely exciting.