A mainstay of the women’s peloton, Soraya Paladin began her professional career in 2012 with the long-standing Italian institution Top Girls Fassa Bortolo. Her first notable results came in 2016, followed by a steady rise into the upper ranks of WorldTour racing with teams such as Alé Cipollini and Liv Racing.

Since joining CANYON//SRAM Zondacrypto in 2022, Soraya quickly established herself as a real asset to the team – dependable, versatile and tactically astute. She has ridden all four editions of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, playing tremendous support roles and being pivotal to the team securing classification success every year.

When her own opportunities arise, Soraya seizes them, and delivers. Top results such as stage podiums at the Giro d’Italia Women in both 2024 and 2025, and a 2nd place at this year’s Navara Women’s Elite Classic (1.Pro), underline her class. A standout season came in 2023, when she recorded 17 top-ten finishes in WorldTour one-day and stage races, all without yet claiming a WorldTour victory.

This level of consistency has earned her the label of the peloton’s most ‘winning-less’ rider, yet it’s precisely this strength and reliability that makes her one of the most respected figures in the bunch. It’s at her home Grand Tour where she would most like to achieve her WorldTour breakthrough.

“I’d definitely love to win a stage at the Giro d’Italia. I’ve come really close several times.”

Despite more than a decade in the sport, and a cruel end to her Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2025, Soraya’s drive remains undiminished:

“During the seasons there are always ups and downs, but I’m very motivated to keep going in my career. I love trying to improve myself every day, to grow both as a person and as an athlete. I feel I still have a lot to give, I still have some goals I’d like to achieve, and I enjoy to teach what I’ve learned over the years to the younger riders.”

These are key reasons why the 32-year-old extended her contract with the team through to 2027.

“I’m really happy to renew for another two years with the team. I really like the environment – we work well together, both with my teammates and the staff.”

Forza Soraya – let’s get that win!