Having announced her bold transition to cycling in June 2025, former Olympic-level amateur and professional boxer Sophie Alisch has signed a contract with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation, the team’s UCI Continental outfit, for the 2026 season.

The 23-year-old German, now based in the cycling mecca of Mallorca, is thrilled to be launching her new career within the team’s ranks.

“It honestly feels surreal. To join a team with such a strong identity, such depth, and so much purpose is a huge honour. I come from a different sport, a different world in many ways, but from the very first conversation, I felt that this team understood what drives me. It feels like the perfect place to grow, learn, and prove myself all over again.”

“I know I am starting from a different place than most riders here, and that is exactly what motivates me. I want to absorb as much as I can from the coaches, the staff, and my teammates. I am excited to see where I fit in, how I can grow, and how far I can push myself when surrounded by such talented athletes.”

As a long-time elite athlete with a champion’s mindset, Sophie brings a valuable, complementary perspective – one that she’s eager to apply in a new sporting arena.

“What excites me most is the chance to push myself at the highest level in a completely new sport. I thrive on challenges and the process of starting fresh, learning, failing, and improving every day. Cycling is complex, demanding, and strategic, and being part of a world-class team like this gives me the perfect environment to test my limits, sharpen my skills, and chase new goals. That mix of focus, drive, and adrenaline is exactly what has always motivated me as an elite athlete.”

The young German has spent a decade in boxing – a tenure that defies her age, as did her achievements. Her pathway into the sport began unexpectedly when she sought to improve footwork in her original sport of tennis. After winning the German U19 boxing national title as a 14-year-old in 2016, she was the youngest boxer to be selected for the German Elite Olympic Team, and went on to win bronze at the 2017 European Junior Championships. Additional national and international medals followed before she turned professional at the end of 2018. Remaining undefeated until her retirement from boxing, she was ranked inside the world’s top ten by multiple organisations.

Ronny Lauke, General Manager of both the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto WorldTeam and Generation teams, is enthused by Sophie’s signing. He sees it as another opportunity to explore athletic talent from a fresh angle.

“Since the beginning of CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto nearly ten years ago, we have prided ourselves on opening new pathways to the highest level of women’s cycling. Back in 2016, an innovative project like the Zwift Academy was regarded as daring, but it felt right. In 2022, we then expanded our reach with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation. It was the first development team linked to a women’s WorldTeam, and continues to provide riders from underrepresented countries with an opportunity to access the pro peloton.

Now, we maintain that heritage with Sophie. Giving her the chance to transition from the elite level of a completely different sport into pro cycling is bold, but it’s a move we are familiar with making. She’s ambitious, focused, and driven, and this mindset alone will serve her very well. We look forward to supporting her as she develops into the best rider she can be.”

Sophie explains what inspired her to make the switch from boxing to cycling:

“Cycling started as a quiet passion while I was fully focused on boxing, but over time it grew into something I could no longer ignore. I wanted to push myself in a new way, to challenge my body, my mind, and my limits, and to see what I am capable of outside the ring. Discipline, focus, and the drive to compete at the highest level have always been at the heart of who I am as an athlete, and cycling offers a new arena to apply those values. For me, switching sports is not about leaving one life behind; it is about embracing a new mountain to climb and proving once again what I am capable of at the highest level. Now is the right time to follow my curiosity and ambition.”

The Berlin-born fighter will now trade battles in the ring for those on the road, using her relentless drive and physical prowess to contribute to CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation.

“Coming from world-class boxing, I bring a certain mentality: discipline, resilience, and an all-in attitude. I know how to suffer, how to fight through pain, and how to stay focused when things get tough. I think that mindset can add something to the team environment. I also want to bring energy, support my teammates, learn from them, and hopefully give some of that fighter’s spirit back in return.”

Sophie is the first new rider announced for CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation in 2026. More news to come in this space.