CANYON//SRAM Racing: Announce the 2017 roster

Image: ©Tino Pohlmann

CANYON//SRAM Racing today confirm ten of its riders for the upcoming 2017 season. While Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was announced in September as joining the team, all nine riders from the 2016 roster will be returning to the German registered squad.

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Experienced rider Trixi Worrack will again be the unofficial captain as she herself aims for an injury-free season. "I definitely wasn't expecting to have such a serious injury this year that required so much time off. I'm hoping to stay in good shape all season and we're aiming for a stronger team performance."

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CANYON//SRAM Racing will have three national road champions: Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini and Mieke Kröger. Barnes, who had a restricted preparation for the 2016 season coming off a broken ankle, is anticipating an uninterrupted winter pre-season. "I'm really looking forward to the season ahead, especially to be able to come into the spring classics in good form."

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Alexis Ryan who this year competed in her first full European season rejoins the team. "I knew 2016 would be a year of growing pains as I made the jump from mostly US racing to a strictly European schedule. It proved to be a taxing year, but the experiences I had and knowledge I gained will aid me through what I believe will be a successful 2017 season."

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Alongside Trixi Worrack is German compatriot Lisa Brennauer and with fellow riders Alena Amialiusik, Barbara Guarischi and Tiffany Cromwell they form the experienced group of riders in the team.

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Cromwell said it was an easy decision to return to the team for 2017. "CANYON//SRAM is one of the most professional teams I’ve been a part of during my career. I'm proud of the way we entered the women’s peloton and the precedent we have set in continuing to grow women's cycling and being the leaders in creating change and excitement. I’m also proud of the team and how we always stick together, pick each other up when one of us are down and truly celebrate the good times together too."

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This atmosphere is something that Director Sportif Beth Duryea will be expecting to see again in 2017. "We had a strong presence in our first year and represented our partners with podium success, widespread media exposure, as well the implementation of fresh ideas for our sport."

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"However we're all about looking forward. We want to be better, we want to create more fans globally, and we want to inspire more women to experience the beauty of cycling. With our core group that have learned a lot together this year, our new riders, and the invaluable support from our innovative partners, we are confident of a successful year in 2017."

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The final rider for CANYON//SRAM Racing will come from the Zwift Academy project that will be announced at a later date. Three finalists from the Zwift Academy will join the team for the final stage at the December training camp in Mallorca, Spain. One of these riders will then be offered a professional contract and will complete the team's roster for 2017.

The team will have its first training camp from December 8 to 20 in Mallorca, Spain. Any media wishing to attend the camp can contact Beth Duryea duryea@wmncycling.com for further information.

Following the December camp, CANYON//SRAM Racing will launch its racing season as early as January at the Santos Women's Tour from 14 to 17 January and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on 28 January in Australia.

2017 roster: Alena Amialiusik (BLR), Hannah Barnes (GBR), Lisa Brennauer (GER), Elena Cecchini (ITA), Tiffany Cromwell (AUS), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA), Barbara Guarischi (ITA), Mieke Kröger (GER), Alexis Ryan (USA), Trixi Worrack (GER) and a Zwift Academy rider (to be announced).

By Beth Duryea / duryea@wmncycling.com

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