Over 108,000 riders took part in Zwift Academy 2023, a 12% increase from 2022. Most participants were there simply to build fitness, but a smaller group was vying for the big prize: a cycling team contract for the 2024 season!
This year’s finals look a bit different than last year’s. First, both men’s and women’s finalists are chasing development team contracts this year. Additionally, a smaller number of finalists were selected (6 instead of last year’s 10). Lastly, the finals are happening in late January/early February, instead of early December.
Here’s what we know about the finalists, plus additional details on where the finals will be held and how we can watch.
CANYON//SRAM Generation Finalists
Laura Simenc (Slovenia) – ZwiftPower Profile
An all-rounder, Laura has been the UCI Gran Fondo champion twice and is a former National Champion in Sprint Triathlon. She races for Wahoo Le Col on Zwift.
Maude (Maddie) Le Roux (South Africa) – ZwiftPower Profile
Another climber, for the last 2 years Maddie has competed for the UCI World Cycling Centre Continental Team and has represented South Africa in the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships on Zwift. She races for Wahoo Le Col on Zwift.
Katy Hill (Great Britain) – ZwiftPower Profile
Classed as a climber, Katy started her journey into cycling through her University Triathlon Club and began racing her bike competitively in 2022. She races for AEO on Zwift.
Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team Finalists
Mattia Gaffuri (Italy) – ZwiftPower Profile
Mattia is a prolific climber finishing second in the European Climber’s Championships in 2023 and has raced the U23 Giro d’Italia. He races for Team Castelli pb Elite on Zwift.
Louis Kitzki (Germany)
Louis is a strong time trialist and is Zwift Academy’s youngest competitor this year. He has competed across Europe and North Africa.
Anton Schiffer (Germany) – ZwiftPower Profile
A Climber, Anton most recently rode for a Continental Team in the Tour of Turkey and Tour of Portugal.
What’s Next?
Zwift Academy Road Finals will be held in Denia, Spain and will see all riders complete a mix of tasks designed to test their cycling abilities, racecraft, and communication skills. Some tests will pit the finalists head to head while others will encourage collaboration as they work with members of their prospective professional teams.
Team riders and staff of CANYON//SRAM and Alpecin-Deceuninck will be present at the camps, and the Zwift Academy coaches and team coaches will be analyzing the finalists’ outdoor efforts, Zwift races efforts, bike handling abilities, and culture fit within each team.
Watch the Finals
Eurosport will broadcast the finals across 4 episodes on consecutive days, with the first airing on February 20, 2024 at 19:30CET. Videos will also be available on Eurosport’s YouTube channel.
The winners will be announced in the last episode.
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