CANYON//SRAM Racing is thrilled to announce a contract extension and a new rider to the team for next season. Soraya Paladin extends her contract through to 2025, and Justyna Czapla from CANYON//SRAM Generation will join the World Tour Team through to 2026.

Soraya was a consistent performer for the team in 2023, earning seventeen top-ten places in World Tour one-day or stage races, including fifth at Trofeo Binda, Amstel Gold Race, and twice at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stages. She finished in the top ten in the general classification at the UAE Women’s Tour, Vuelta a Burgos and Ride London Classique, proving her versatility and tactical prowess on various parcours.

For the Italian rider, it was an easy decision to extend her contract for another two years after first joining CANYON//SRAM Racing in 2022.

“I’ve found a very organised team that cares about riders as humans and not just as numbers. The decision to extend my contract was easy. I feel good here, and we have great equipment from supportive partners. As riders, we only have to think of racing as fast as possible. For the rest, we have a lot of support from our hard-working staff,” said Soraya.

“I like to have people around that trust me, and I find that at CANYON//SRAM Racing. Having strong teammates pushes me to improve and learn as much as possible from them. I really like and enjoy how we race as a team. I’m making progress as a rider and as a person, and I’m confident that I can become stronger every year.”

Justyna joins the World Tour team after riding for a season with CANYON//SRAM Generation. With top ten places in UCI races 4a reVolta and Classique La Morbihan, the 19-year-old German rider has continued a steady development path after her silver medal at the 2022 Junior ITT World Championship behind future teammate Zoe Bäckstedt. She took bronze at the German U23 national ITT behind Antonia Niedermaier, who later became the U23 ITT World Champion.

“I literally can’t describe how excited I am to have a contract with CANYON//SRAM Racing in 2024! This was one of my biggest dreams, and I’m so happy I got this chance,” said Justyna.

“CANYON//SRAM Generation allowed me to experience my first year in the elite category without any pressure. The team guided me through the whole season, step by step so that I could get new insights into pro cycling and also learn and develop as a rider who is still relatively new in the women’s peloton.”

“The biggest challenge for me in 2023 was the length of races, going from 80km as a junior to 130km in the elite. I struggled with that sometimes, especially in stage races, but by the end of the season, I overcame that challenge. I enjoyed going to races with my teammates and staff.”

Justyna added, “My biggest highlight was 8th place at the UCI 1.1 race 4a reVolta in Spain. It was actually my first longer race, but I was in really good shape, and the climbing area there suited me. I didn’t expect that result at all, so I was even happier that I could get it for the team!”

“With CANYON//SRAM Generation, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork and the strength of a team. I’ve also learned about taking the initiative to try something, trusting in yourself that you are strong enough, and keeping fighting if things aren’t turning out well. I’m grateful for my development, and I feel it’s prepared me very well for the World Tour.”

“I’m really looking forward to how the races are at this higher level. I want to support my teammates as much as possible and achieve good results together. My most important goal is to gain more experience and to learn from my teammates and staff to become an even better rider,” stated Justyna.

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