CANYON//SRAM Generation put in a dominant performance at GP Cidade de Pontevedra today in Spain, with four riders finishing inside the top ten. Maddie Le Roux, on debut for the team after winning the 2023 Zwift Academy, impressed by taking third place. Awen Roberts took fifth, while teammates Jule Märkl and Selam Amha Gerefiel finished sixth and eighth, respectively.

The 99km race consisted of five local circuits around Pontevedra and two longer circuits, each with a climb offering mountain classification points. The peloton largely stayed together until the hilly circuit with CANYON//SRAM Generation able to execute the team plan and put Maddie in position to go for the mountain classification points. The team set the pace on the final climb, and Maddie attacked to create a gap over the summit. One rider joined her on the descent as the duo had a ten-kilometre run into the finish line. Three other CANYON//SRAM Generation riders were behind controlling attacks as the peloton chased the breakaway, catching Maddie right on the line where she held on for third place.

RIDER REACTIONS

Maddie Le Roux: “Standing on the start line was quite a surreal feeling, and obviously, there were quite some nerves, but I felt like the team trusted me to do my job, and that gave me some confidence. Although it was quite a big shock to the system being back in the European peloton after more than five months away.”

“Our team took control of the peloton when we came to the two final laps with the climb. My teammates gave me a lead out for the QOM points. I was caught off guard the first time we passed and came second. The final time over the climb, my teammates pushed the climb so hard that when it was time for me to attack, I could create a big enough gap to get away and was joined on the downhill by one other rider. Again, they were amazing and controlled the peloton while I was away. It was so cool to be in a position where my teammates believed I could get the job done; I had to push through for all their work.”

“The last 5km were quite brutal, to be honest. The rider with me didn’t work with me, so I pushed alone against a hard headwind. I trusted that when we got caught, I had teammates who could finish the job, and they were giving so much encouragement through the radio; it was amazing. In the last kilometre, my legs blew apart, and I couldn’t sprint, but I tried my best to go as deep as possible. I heard a crash behind me within the last 200m and knew the peloton must be there. I got nipped on the line for second place, but overall, we did great as a team. As my first race with the team, I had a great experience, and I hope we can build on this together.”

“Looking back, I can see a lot of things I need to improve on for the next race, but overall, I am really happy about this result. I can truly say this was a team effort. After everything these last couple of weeks, it is the confidence boost I needed. I can’t help but be excited for the rest of the season.”

Awen Roberts: “The final lap was quite fast. We had Maddie on the climb, and she attacked, which was great because she was in the break with one other rider, so for the rest of us in the group, we had to sit in and watch if any moves were going. The finish was hectic as the group was closing in on the leaders, and there were quite a few crashes. I’m glad that Maddie could finish the day with a podium, and I’m pleased that four of us could make it to the top ten.”

The next race for CANYON//SRAM Generation will be the Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry on April 14.

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