November 30, 2024 – CANYON//SRAM Generation is thrilled to announce four riders on the roster for the 2025 season. Selam Amha Gerefiel, Maddie Le Roux, Jule Märkl and Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye will return to the Continental Team after signing contract extensions to the end of 2025.

CANYON//SRAM Generation, established in 2022, will enter its fourth season as a pioneering development team for the World Tour squad CANYON//SRAM Racing. The team was created to forge a unique pathway for talented cyclists aiming to reach the highest levels of the sport. It focuses on identifying and developing riders from underrepresented countries while also welcoming talent globally. By helping bridge the gap between grassroots potential and elite competition, CANYON//SRAM Generation has redefined opportunities in professional women’s cycling and continues championing diversity and inclusion in the peloton.

In 2025, the team will have a roster of nine riders. Further contract extensions and new rider announcements will be made soon. Hear from four of the riders below.

Maddie Le Roux (South Africa): “This past season with the team has been valuable in my career development in that I’ve learned so much about how things work in such a professional setup, on and off the bike. Working more efficiently, communicating better, and giving your best are just a few. Quite a lot of valuable “bricks” have been put into place that I hope I can build on going into this next season. I fully trust this team to help me become the best rider I can be.  

Being away from home is never easy, especially with everything that has happened in my personal life this year. However, this team is special. My teammates always made me feel better when I felt a bit down; they took me for coffee and we enjoyed karaoke nights. The environment around this team is like one big family; we look out for each other, and as a rider, that made me feel like I belonged. 

I’m particularly proud of my first race with the team, GP de Pontevedra. It was my first race with the team, my first European race in more than six months and just over two weeks from my mom’s passing, so I didn’t know what to expect from myself or how racing with these new teammates would be. I showed myself that no matter what else is going on, cycling and riding my bike is my happy place and what I’m meant to do.

Unfortunately, my season ended short due to a broken collarbone, but I hope to continue next season where I left off. I know I have the power; it’s just learning how and when to use it correctly to make it count. I look forward to seeing this next season’s trajectory with the team’s help. My goals are to win the South African national championships at the end of January 2025 and be a dependable teammate at the pointy end of the peloton.”

Selam Gerefiel (Ethiopia): “Being a part of CANYON//SRAM Generation has been very important for me to have the support to keep working on my professional career. It was a challenging season, but I still learned a lot, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to stay with the team in 2025 and continue working on my development. 

I particularly enjoyed our race at the Princess Anna Vas Tour in Poland. We had great teamwork, and seeing how much we improved from the beginning of the season was special. I owe a lot to the team and am determined to work hard in 2025. I dream of winning a race myself and seeing our team win a race next season.”

Jule Märkl (Germany): “I found the step from the junior to the elite category was physically and mentally hard. Fortunately, I had good support from the team and learned many things about being a professional rider, my tactics, and every team member’s role in contributing to the team’s goals. Having the opportunity to do some races with the World Tour riders helped my development, and we were always encouraged to have a courageous and active riding style. After racing many different races, I started understanding what kind of rider I am. 

I enjoyed many memorable moments in 2024. I didn’t have big success on the results sheet, but I am proud of how our teamwork improved from race to race and that I helped as best I could. The stage race in Poland stands out for my performance and to see my progress in the time trial over the last five years. I was proud to see Nastya (Kolesava) make the podium at GP Lucien van Impe in Belgium. She often races courageously but isn’t rewarded with a podium, so seeing her get a podium at a big race was nice for the team. 

My goal for the upcoming season is to continue developing as a rider and to better support the team by participating in the finals of bigger and more demanding races.”

Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye (Nigeria): “Before I joined CANYON//SRAM Generation, I was close to stopping with pro cycling because I was tired of training with a lack of racing opportunities. The team has greatly impacted my future by allowing me to become a professional cyclist, and this 2024 season was extremely valuable for me.

The team environment improved my skills and abilities more than I ever imagined. I used to feel intimidated being in the peloton during races. But my confidence has grown thanks to the mentorship from my coach and teammates. I also used to be afraid of climbing, but I have improved my skills with coaching, instruction and advice over the season. I’m particularly proud of my participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I’m also proud of my teammates. For example, Awen (Roberts) is especially smart, caring, and determined to give her best in every race. She brings me joy, especially during the days leading up to my trip home to Nigeria, where she supported me a lot. 

In the 2025 season, I aim to help CANYON//SRAM Generation achieve its vision and goals and develop my skills further than last season.”

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