After riding on the road and track as a junior, Ricarda Bauernfeind took a hiatus from pro cycling, to complete a degree in education.

“At the time, I didn’t think I was good enough to make the pro peloton and be a full-time pro cyclist. So I went to university instead. I kept riding, using Zwift as my main training as it was the best way to combine studying and training. I coached myself and did mostly Zwift races and a few national races.

“In 2021, I read about the new development team, CANYON//SRAM Generation. I saw it as an opportunity to get back into racing in bigger races on the road and to see how I could progress.”

Joining the Continental Team, CANYON//SRAM Generation, last year, Ricarda was outstanding in her first year as a professional rider, winning from national-level Spanish Cup races to UCI races to medals at the road world championships. She showed her all-around strengths by taking third overall at the Vuelta a Andalucia and fifth at the 2.PRO Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour stage races. In time trials, Ricarda shone with a dominating win in the U23 ITT German national championships in a faster time than the elite women. The 22-year-old finished the season with two bronze medals in the U23 Road Race and U23 ITT at the UCI world championships in Australia.

“I‘m proud to step up to CANYON//SRAM Racing for the next two years. Five years ago, I dreamed of becoming a world tour rider, but at the same time, I recognised that I wasn‘t ready for it. I did other things, and I studied at university. Having a world tour contract in my hands shows me that I made the right decision.

“CANYON//SRAM Generation allowed me to learn how to race. I raced in higher-level races with more riders in the bunch. I was encouraged to be brave and try new tactics in a race. As a team, we learned how to be professional cyclists and how everyone can grow and learn different things from each other.

“I‘m super motivated for 2023. I want to support my teammates to reach great results, have fun and enjoy the racing. I still have a lot of things to learn, but I am confident I have the best team and teammates around me to improve myself. My goal is to develop as a rider and a person and race a big stage race like Giro d’Italia Donne or Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the next two years.”