Applications opened today for CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Development Team, previously announced as part of their long-term diversity and inclusion plan. Applications will be open for two weeks, closing on Wednesday 8th September, 2021: for all application information, see here.
The team aims to provide support and training for talents who have little to no access to cycling.
Recruitment will focus on Africa, Asia and South America, seeking to redress the current imbalance in professional women’s cycling, though it won’t be purely limited to those regions.
Ronny Lauke, the CANYON//SRAM Racing Team Manager, said, “We are looking forward to receiving as many applications as possible as riders take their chance with this unique pathway.”
They are offering eight scholarships for CANYON//SRAM Racing’s development squad: this will include individual coaching, supervised training, mentorship, a structured racing program, and opportunities to be a stagiare at CANYON//SRAM Racing.
Their goal is to make professional women’s cycling more accessible to women around the world, and increase the diversity and inclusivity of the sport. The team will be a UCI Continental Team, forming an addition to the Women’s WorldTour team, and the contract offered to riders will be for one or two years – it will be a commitment on both sides. Notably, one of the commitments those who accept contracts will have to make will be being based in Europe for most of the year.
