Along with the signing of Kasia Niewiadoma announced last month CANYON//SRAM Racing will welcome British rider Alice Barnes and current German road champion Lisa Klein in the 2018 season. The team will also extend young German rider Christa Riffel, from current stagiaire to a full time contract in 2018.

Alice Barnes brings youth and versatility already boasting a stage win and second overall at this year’s BeNe Ladies Tour, and will join older sister Hannah Barnes who has raced with the German-registered team for the past two years.

Alice Barnes started “I am really excited to join the CANYON//SRAM line up. This year I have had some great opportunities to ride for myself but I believe for me to move forward I have a lot more to learn. The staff and riders are very experienced and they can teach me a lot. I have always admired the way that they work as a unit and are always working towards one goal.”

CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Team Manager, Ronny Lauke welcomed Barnes. “Alice raised our interest due to her fighting spirit and never give up attitude. Her strength in classic races is very promising and her hunger for more is brilliant to see. Beating one of the icons in the sport, Marianne Vos, in a one-on-one sprint in Belgium recently was a very strong signal. We are pleased she has joined our setup for the coming year.”

Asked about her goal in 2018 Alice Barnes said it is one of learning and developing as a cyclist. “For me 2018 is a learning curve. I am looking forward to having different roles and experimenting with my racing. I still have a lot of developing and CANYON//SRAM Racing is the perfect place for me to do this.”

Joining Alice Barnes in the new colours of CANYON//SRAM Racing from 1 January 2018 will be current German road champion Lisa Klein. “The team is a big opportunity for me as a rider to develop. I am really excited and motivated for a new adventure, to race with experienced riders and to learn from them. I can’t wait to race with Trixi (Worrack) who is one of the most successful German riders,” said the 21 year-old.

Klein said she will target spring classics and improving her time trial for the 2018 season. “My first goal of the season is to have good spring classic races. Races like Ronde van Vlaanderen are a target. I also want to develop my individual and team time trial skills and CANYON//SRAM is a great team for that.”

Lauke said “Lisa is young, talented and already has achieved some promising results in classic events and races against the clock. As well her personality will add quality to the team. She is not shy to address issues, always aiming for the highest possible, a true racer and a character.”

“Alice and Lisa have each shown a willingness to work for their team’s success, on and off the bike. But when an opportunity came up for their own glory, they have been both ready to take the chance. Heading into the same path, we see Christa and it’s part of the reason we have extended her contract to the future.”

“Christa has raced very promising during her stagiaire days,” Lauke stated. “Always well positioned, always trying to protect team mates and fulfil the given job in the best possible way. It’s made us confident we can work well with Christa and help develop her further.”

The 19 year-old German said she’s felt part of the team right from the beginning. “I really like to race with the team and it’s been great to see how they’ve achieved their goals by working hard together. That’s been inspiring and I want to experience that more. Not only the staff and riders are great, the equipment we use is fantastic!” beamed Riffel.

“I really want to learn more from my teammates, and improve myself to the top level so that I can contribute more to the team’s efforts as well,” added Riffel.

Lauke said he is satisfied with how the roster is coming together. “Overall we are very pleased and happy to have secured the trust of all four new signings. We will help them further develop their career and aim to create some of the most talented athletes in the sport for the coming years,” commented Lauke.

The full roster for CANYON//SRAM Racing in 2018 will be announced at a later date.

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