DUAL ERITREAN NATIONAL CHAMPION TO BOOST CANYON//SRAM ZONDACRYPTO GENERATION

Current dual Eritrean National Champion Monaliza Araya Chneslasie is joining CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation on a two-year contract until 2027, marking an exciting addition to the team roster.

The 21-year-old from Adi Akelo in Southern Eritrea, perched at over 2000 metres above sea level and 25 kilometres from the Ethiopian border, is thrilled to be joining her first UCI-level team.

“I am so excited to be part of the team. In my first season, I expect to learn a lot, to be competitive in the races I will take part in, and to aim for good results.”

CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation Sports Director, Gosia Jasinska, expresses strong confidence and belief in one of Eritrea’s leading talents.

“I met Monaliza at the World Championship in Rwanda, and a few weeks before that we had already been in contact because she wanted to join our team. I saw that she was very motivated and determined, and that she was one of the strongest African riders in the Worlds road race. After the race, we spoke together and I saw a lot of passion in her; she wanted to go to Europe to race her bike and to show that she’s a capable rider. I think she has the potential to be a strong puncheur and also a good time trialist. We will need to work on her bike skills and communication, but that aside, she has a huge passion for cycling. I believe this is the key to growing into a great rider, because without that passion, nothing truly amazing will happen.”

Sharing a similar name with one of history’s most famous masterpieces, Monaliza has yet to race in the continent of her namesake. Despite this, she has already delivered impressive results in her cycling-mad home nation and Africa.

In 2025, she claimed both the Eritrean national time trial and road race titles, sealing the latter with a devastating long-range sprint against two rivals. These added to a 2022 elite road race crown and her junior double from 2021. On the continental stage, Monaliza and her Eritrean teammates have captured both the African Games and African Championship TTT titles. At the most recent African Championships in November 2025, she secured bronze in the U23 Time Trial, highlighting her potential against the clock and showing that she’s firmly on track towards one of her long-term ambitions – becoming Africa’s best time trialist.

Cycling is deeply embedded in Eritrea’s culture, making bike-riding instincts and knowledge feel like second nature to Monaliza. The extraordinary support that Eritrean superstar Biniam Girmay receives in Europe offers just a small preview into  the passionate cycling community at home, and Monaliza’s own introduction to the sport reflects that heritage.

“When I was a child, I used a bike to go to school, and that’s when I started to love cycling. I also enjoyed watching races in our village.”

Monaliza says that she draws inspiration from Daniel Teklehaimanot, the first Eritrean to compete in the Tour de France and the first Black African rider to wear a special classification jersey at the event. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies and listening to music.

We’re delighted to introduce Monaliza to European racing as the team’s first Eritrean rider, where she will proudly carry her nation’s flag on the international stage. She is the fifth and final rider to be announced for CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation in 2026, joining fellow new recruits Sophie Alisch, Erja Bianchi, Tsige Kahsay Kiros and Weronika Wąsaty.

Five riders return from 2025 to create a balanced mix of youthful experience and fresh talent: Valentina Corvi, Emily Dixon, Jule Märkl, Joëlle Messemer and Awen Roberts.