After watching from the sidelines, it’s finally time for CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation to embark on their 2025 racing season in Beasain, Basque Country, at the Gran Premio Igartza on March 23. This moment has been eagerly awaited, especially after the unfortunate cancellation of Trofeo Ponente in Rosa earlier in March, which was meant to be the season opener.

Nearly all team riders will line up for Sunday’s 70-kilometre one-day race, which also serves as round two of the Copa de España Carretera, Spain’s national series of one-day road races for elite and competitive riders. The squad consists of Diane Ingabire, Maddie le Roux, Florence Nakagwa, Selam Amha Gerefiel, and recently crowned Zwift Academy winner Emily Dixon, fresh off the plane from Australia, along with Joëlle Messemer and Jule Märkl. The latter German duo have already begun their seasons with the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto WorldTeam, competing at Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Trofeo Oro in Euro, and GP Oetingen.

After two top-10 finishes at the South African National Championships in February, Maddie is eager to reintegrate into the European peloton after a long spell away.

“I’m feeling a bit nervous but also excited to race with the team again. My last race was the Anna Vasa Tour in July, before breaking my collarbone, which prematurely ended my 2024 season. Physically, I’m still working on that top-end ‘umph’ after taking some rest post-nationals in February, but what better way to get back into the swing of things than racing?”

She aims to race with confidence, execute her role to the best of her ability, and above all, “HAVE FUN,” while embracing the chance to refine cooperation with seven of her nine teammates.

“I think this is a great opportunity for us to practice working together and to see which areas we can work on as a team, to improve for the upcoming races. We will have a lot of firepower, so our job will be to take the opportunity to use it to the best of our abilities, and see what we can do together. It should be a good weekend of racing.”

For Florence, this weekend carries extra significance. Despite entering her second season with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, this will be her first race with the team and her first race in continental Europe. Following a lengthy visa process, she arrived to Europe for the first time at the December training camp in Portugal. The Ugandan rider is filled with a mix of nerves and excitement.

“It’s going to be my first race with the team, and I’ve always wondered what my first race will be like. For one, I’m feeling a bit nervous before getting to the start line as I believe that now I’m in Europe, the cycling is something very different compared to that in Uganda. For me personally, my first success will be finishing up the race safely and if I accomplish any role given to me within the race by the team, then that will also be a big satisfaction.”

Although 70 kilometres isn’t long by road racing standards, the devil is in the detail. The three-lap, 23.5km circuit packs in over 1100m of elevation gain, featuring two decisive climbs per lap: Lierni (1.1km at 8.3%) and Olaberria (1.8km at 7.2%), both with sustained sections above 10%. Sprint primes will be contested through the finish line after every lap in Beasain, while the mountains classification will be fought for at the summit of each climb. And, of course, what goes up must come down – with steep gradients, twists and switchbacks, there’ll be no time to take a breather.

Aside from the terrain, the course throws in narrow lanes, wide drags, and bustling urban sections, with plenty of roundabouts and roading instructure to keep riders on their toes. There’s little chance to switch off – mentally or physically. Even the finish line throws in a curveball, set on a two-way bike path paved with smooth brick tiles – a quirky final touch on an already dynamic course.

The following weekend, the Generation squad continues its Copa de España Carretera Féminas campaign with back-to-back rounds on Saturday and Sunday in Betanzos and Pontevedra – two scenic spots with challenging courses in the northwestern Galician region, separated by a 120km drive.

Saturday’s Comarca Brigantina features three laps of a 16km undulating circuit covering both sides of the Betanzos River before a fourth loop that tackles the Alto de Villozas – 3.5km at 5.5% with pitches up to 12%. The real sting comes at the finish, where the final 200 metres ramp up to 18%, averaging 12%, on the narrow, neat streets leading to the core of the historic Betanzos.

Sunday’s Gran Premio Cidade de Pontevedra features multiple out-and-back sections along a dead-flat, four-lane avenue beside the Pontevedra river, where wind could add an extra challenge, before hillier terrain is incorporated at the halfway mark. Riders will ascend a smaller climb onto a 3km plateau before facing two assaults of Alto de a Porteliña – it’s on the savage 15% slopes where the real battles will play out. Equally sharp descents then bring riders back down to the water’s edge.

The team had a strong showing in Pontevedra last year with Maddie taking third, while Jule, Selam and Awen Roberts all finished in the top 10. The team’s history in the race goes further back, with Ricarda Bauernfeind taking the win in 2022 before moving into the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto WorldTeam the following year.

From the Copa de España, the squad turns its attention to the UCI 2.2 Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and UCI 1.1 Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry, both in April.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Gran Premio Igartza | Sunday, March 23 | 70.3km | 1123m elevation | Start: 10:45 CET – fastest finish: 12:40 CET.

Comarca Brigantina | Saturday, March 29 | 73km | 1055m elevation | Start: 12:30 CET – fastest finish: 14:42 CET.

Gran Premio Cidade de Pontevedra | Sunday, March 30 | 100.2km | 589m elevation | Start: 12:45 CET – fastest finish: 15:25 CET.

Live coverage of the final 60km from each race will be streamed on SportPublic TV’s YouTube channel, with highlights and replays also available. Keep up-to-date with the action using #CopaEspañaFemCofidis, and on the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social channels.