22.08.2025 World-Tour, Continental, News, Race news

CZAPLA AND MESSEMER TO TAKE ON TOUR DE L'AVENIR FEMMES

Two riders from CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation, Justyna Czapla and Joëlle Messemer respectively, will be donning the German national team kit to represent their home country in the third edition of the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes.

Tour de l’Avenir has long been one of the most prestigious races for U23 men, serving as a launchpad for many of today’s superstars. Its name, translating from French as ‘Race of the Future,’ says it all. Since 2023, a women’s edition has been held in parallel to the men’s race, also contested in national team formations.

This year’s six-day route is stacked with climbing relative to the distance – 9500m in 480km – reflecting its mountainous setting on the eastern fringes of France. It opens with a 3km prologue (averaging 7.8%), held through the ski resort of Tignes in the French-Italian Alps at above 1500m altitude. Riders then move westward in the Rhône-Alpes region to where the climbing isn’t quite as severe, touching on the undulating Auvergne and Bourgogne regions, before the race returns to an alpine environment for a brutal mountainous double-header.

Stage 5a features an eye-catching 42km route; 36km false-flat then downhill from La Rosière denotes the neutral. Riders then begin their 42km, looping around to climb all the way back up to La Rosière, detouring over the Colle San Carlo (10.3km at 10%) before tackling the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (13.2km at 5.6%). The 5b finale is a uphill time trial from Montvalezan to La Rosière on the other side of the mountain – just over 10km with 690m of elevation gain. The only mercy shown is a rest day after stage four, prior to this final two-stage showdown. Otherwise, it’s a conclusion that tests mental just as much as physical strength.

For 18-year-old Joëlle, this is her first time representing Germany beyond the junior ranks, and in her debut elite season too. Fresh from a succesful Baloise Ladies Tour with the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto WorldTeam and two podium finishes at German elite level events, she reflected on her past five weeks and the big French challenge ahead.

“For me it’s been quite good time since Baloise; we had school holidays so I could be at home and spend a lot of time with my family and friends, which I really enjoyed. I could prepare really well for the next races with some good training rides and criterium action. I am very excited for the next part of the season.”

“I feel very honoured to ride for Germany for the first time this year. I am grateful that the German cycling federation gives me this opportunity and believes in me. I think it’s something very special to ride at an exclusively U23 race.”

“A successful Tour de l‘Avenir Femmes for me would be to feel comfortable in the peloton and especially to do a good job for the other girls when it’s needed. I am super excited to be all together again (with staff and riders) and to have a good time. I think for me, stage 3 could be interesting. I don’t yet know the roles we get in the team, but I will keep an eye on this stage.”

At 21, Justyna still has another year left in the U23 category but already boasts strong experience in elite fields, most notably from completing in her first two grand tours this season. A standout moment came at La Vuelta Femenina, where she pulled on the best young rider jersey after the opening team time trial. In her most recent race, the Giro d’Italia Women, she underlined her value as a selfless and dependable teammate, helping Antonia Niedermaier secure the best young rider classification for the overall tour. It’s safe to say it’s been an intensive season for Justyna so far, making a summer break well-earned.

“After a long and hard racing block, I really enjoyed my time at home. It was exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries and I’m really looking forward to racing again. It was nice to spend some time with my family and just to do what I was in the mood for. Of course, I also had some good training on the bike during this time.”

Her understated nature often belies her strength and talent. This year she claimed the German U23 National Time Trial title, and will proudly debut her national champion’s stripes in the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes opening prologue. This is a tour where Justyna will have more freedom to ride for her own results, a prospect that fills her with fresh motivation and anticipation.

“It’s always something different to compete in a pure U23 race with the national team. The performance gap is smaller and everyone is more or less at a similar level. That gives you a better chance. The motivation is different and I’m very excited to see what we can make out of it. Looking ahead to U23 Worlds and Europeans, it’s also a good race to see where you stand compared to the others.”

“I’m most excited about the last day because there are two interesting stages waiting for us. A road race of just 42km with almost 2000 metres of elevation and then a 10km mountain TT, and the day before we even have a rest day. It will probably be the toughest day and the GC can still change a lot. I’m really looking forward to it!”

“I don’t have any specific goals, but hope that we work well together as a team and that I can achieve a good GC result in the end. It’s important for me to keep up as well as possible on the climbs and also to maybe make up some time in the mountain TT. It will definitely be a tough week, but I think that suits us.”

HOW TO FOLLOW

Rest day | Thu, Aug 28

Live coverage of the men’s race will be available on Discovery+ and Eurosport, with a delayed broadcast on L’Équipe. It remains unclear if this will extend to the women’s race. Stay updated on X with #TourdelAvenirFemmes, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team news.

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