She made an instant impression with a standout performance in the initial eight-minute hill climb test, and backed that up with the fastest time around a technical go-kart track. Now, after four days of intensive testing within the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto fold, Emily Dixon has emerged as the 2024 Zwift Academy winner.

The accomplished 18 year Australian, alongside Canada’s Noah Ramsay, who secured a place on the Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team, are the latest names on an illustrious list of Zwift Academy alumni, including Neve Bradbury, a 2024 Giro d’Italia stage winner and general classification podium finisher.

Now in its eighth year, Zwift Academy saw over 100,000 cyclists participate in the 2024 edition, held between 5 August and 3 November.

Following months of rigorous testing, four women earned a place at the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto winter training camp in Portugal’s Algarve region, where they battled for a professional contract with the Generation squad. The final round saw each rider take on challenges and races both on the road and on Zwift, meet with coaches and staff from the whole set-up, and join group rides with their potential future teammates.

Emily stood out by combining impressive power numbers, exceptional bike-handling skills and maturity beyond her years. Tackling every challenge with a calm and collected spirit, she focused on proving her own ability rather than being influenced by her competitors’ performances – an approach that impressed the judges. Determined to make her mark, she delivered where it mattered most and marked herself out as the best, time and time again.

Emily beams with excitement and enthusiasm for not only the experience up until this point, but the year that awaits her as the winner of a contract with the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generationteam.

“It’s been such an amazing week, I’ve loved every minute of it and am so grateful for everyone at Zwift and the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto team – I’ve learnt so much and they have all been so kind and welcoming. I’m utterly speechless and did not expect to win the 2024 Zwift Academy at all. I’m really looking forward to getting started with the team.”

Adam Szabó, Head of Sports at CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation, praised Emily’s selection.

“Emily is an excellent all-round cyclist with impressive power and speed, as demonstrated on the go-kart track and during other varied challenges. As a rider, she has the foundations that we will be able to build on in the long term. She is the type of rider we were looking for to fit into our team.”

Since the start of 2025, Emily has been gaining valuable race experience in UCI and National events in Australia, most notably competing at the World Tour classified Tour Down Under with the Australian National team. She finished 19th on the Queen Stage up Willunga Hill and secured second place in the Youth Classification. Emily now busily prepares for her move to Europe, where she will be based in Girona, home to the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation service course and accommodation.

CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation in 2025

With Emily’s arrival, the 2025 roster for CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation is now fully revealed, featuring nine riders from eight different countries: 

Emily Dixon (Australia), Selam Amha Gerefiel (Ethiopia), Diane Ingabire (Rwanda), Maddie Le Roux (South Africa), Jule Märkl (Germany), Joëlle Messemer (Germany), Florence Nakagwa (Uganda), Awen Roberts (Great Britain) and Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye (Nigeria).

CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation officially kick off their season on 23 March at the Gran Premio Igartza in Beasain, Basque Country – the second round of the Copa de España Féminas.