09.06.2026 World-Tour, Continental, News, Race news

GENERATION PREPARING TO HIT THE PYRENEES

The consecutive run of stage races continues for Generation. After competing across three separate tours in the Czech Republic and Austria throughout May, they now turn their attention to the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées – a motivating challenge much closer to the team’s base in Girona, Spain.

It has been an extremely positive season so far for Generation. They were deservedly rewarded for their powerful off-bike culture and committed in-race approach at Gracia Orlová, where Emily Dixon and Erja Bianchi delivered the squad’s first UCI victories since 2022. At the Tour de Feminin, a third-place finish in the opening team time trial was a result that the entire five-rider line-up could celebrate together, while Awen Roberts went on to finish seventh in the general classification (GC). It was a bittersweet final result, with form and expectations suggesting more was within reach; however, the peloton proved to be a valuable classroom, with a wealth of learning gathered.

Their most recent event, the Sportland NÖ Women Tour in Austria, may not have carried UCI status, but a hungry field of talented rivals ensured a high level of competition throughout. Across four days, three ~100km stages were raced on circuits of varying terrain and technicality, before a final 62km stage with a summit finish to the Hochkar ski area (8.8km at 9.5%). It was on these slopes that Monaliza Araya Chnesalsie surged up the GC ranks to finish third overall, a fine reward for the Eritrean champion after a consistently impressive week. Her podium result added to the strong stage placings of Tsige Kahsay Kiros and Erja, with Tsige claiming her first-ever podium finish in Europe.

Now, having converted hard work and lessons into sharper fitness and race craft, a six-rider squad lines up for a rigorous mix of Pyrenean stages that criss-cross east from Saint-Jean-de-Luz on France’s Atlantic coast to the historic royal city of Pau. Taking them on are Sophie Alisch, Emily, Awen, Jule Märkl, Joëlle Messemer and Weronika Wąsaty.

Stage 1 opens with a rolling 118km on gentle gradients and mostly wide roads, although the run-in to the flat finish features pinch points that will inevitably bring a touch of mayhem.

Stage 2 brings riders face-to-face with what is most synonymous with Pyrenees cycling – the almighty Tourmalet. Approaching it from the west, the legendary ascent spans 18.3km up to an altitude of 2115m – numbers that will have the climbers simply salivating. Riders, likely scattered across the alpine slopes, will then plunge down the eastern side before racing along valley roads to the finish.

Stage 3 provides a thrilling final battleground, ensuring that the GC is only settled upon crossing the finish. The action will unfold over a compact series of short climbs ranging from 500m to 3km, many repeated across 2.5 laps. One particularly punishing obstacle is a 600m, 13% wall, summited just 3km from the finish before a swift descent to the line.

After storming to her first two professional victories at Gracia Orlová, Emily suffered cruel misfortune when illness struck ahead of the final stage, forcing her to withdraw from the race and surrender the GC lead. Following some time away from competition, she now returns eager to hit back. Stage 2, in particular, is likely to suit her strengths:

“I’m excited to get back to racing after Gracia, and having to take a week completely due to sickness. I’m hoping that the work I’ve been putting in during training has gotten me back to a good level again, so I can compete against the best in these type of stage race.

I’m ready to take on the racing and give it my all, with confidence from our success and how we rode as a team in Gracia. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but that’s a good thing I guess!

I’m really hoping that we can pull off a top 10, or even more, which would make it a successful weekend for us. I also hope that we can continue riding together in the peloton, and proving ourselves up against the big teams that will be there. I’d love to be able to compete for the young rider’s white jersey, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the race throws at us… Although, it is a bit of a shame that it’s not a mountain finish like last year!”

Generation manager Gosia Jasinska shares her thoughts on what to expect from the Tour des Pyrénées, and the young but talented squad set to take it on:

“This year, our girls have shown that they can work very well together. Because of that, I expect strong teamwork from them.

I think Awen has very good memories from last year’s race so for that reason, both Emily and Awen can be strong riders for us. For the second stage especially, I hope Emily returns at a high level after her illness after Gracia Orlova. We gave her time to recover and to come back properly, so now she is in very good shape once again.

We expect to really fight on the second stage and, I hope, to move into the top five of the general classification.

They are all still young riders, and the Tour de Pyrenees is very difficult, so teamwork will be the key point. I think all of the girls are in good physical and mental shape. Weronika, Jule and Joëlle can race very well together in a fast finish, and work together with Awen and Emily in the hillier sections.

As always, we start racing for the best possible result and for the win. However, it will not be easy because there will be WorldTeams and some very strong riders, but I never tell my riders that they are at a lower level than anyone else. When the race numbers go on their backs, it doesn’t matter who is standing next to them on the start line. Once the race begins, everyone is equal.

So, we expect good results and very good teamwork. I think when the atmosphere is good and everyone works together, the results come naturally.”

While Generation dive into the mountains, a WorldTeam line-up of Zoe Bäckstedt, Chiara Consonni, Tiffany Cromwell, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Maike van der Duin will be racing through the cool streets of Copenhagen. As in last year’s inaugural edition, the sprint-friendly route begins with a snaking opening phase through country surrounds and smaller towns, before culminating in 35km of fast, tricky city laps. Both Chiara and Maike arrive fresh of the Giro d’Italia, and the Italian will be aiming to at least match her third-place finish from last year, in a race that attracts the who’s who of sprinting.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 2 | Sat, June 13 | Arrens-Marsous – Bagneres-de-Bignorre | 94.9km | 1964m ↑ | 11:00 – 14:05 CET | Live 13:00

Stage 3 | Sun, June 14 | Nay – Jurançon | 114.3km | 1738m ↑ | 11:45 – 15:00 CET | Live 13:45

For the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées, watch every stage live on HBO Max and France 3 NOA. Meanwhile, coverage of Copenhagen Sprint will be available on DR TV (Denmark), TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO Max and FloBikes. Stay updated on X with #TFIP2026 and #CopenhagenSprint, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team updates.

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