Tanja Erath wins pro contract with Canyon-SRAM after impressive Zwift performance
Former triathlete Tanja Erath focussed on cycling after an injury meant she could no longer run, now she's landed herself a ride with the Canyon-SRAM women's team for 2018
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tanja Erath has secured a place on the top-level Canyon-SRAM women's team for 2018 after an impressive performance on online training system Zwift.
The German former triathlete and nurse only started focussing on her cycling a year ago after an injury ruled her out of running.
Erath was selected by judges from a field of 2,100 women on Zwift to ride for the German-registered Canyon-SRAM team. Members of Canyon-SRAM, Zwift and TrainSharp coaching selected a short-list of 12 riders before deciding on the winner.
“I started this confident in my skills as a cyclist and a racer, but had no idea it would end with me here in Koblenz with a World Tour schedule ahead of me,” said Erath.
“It’s been such a journey and I’m humbled by the talent I’ve been up against, especially with [Zwift Academy finalists] Siri [Hildonen] and Bri [Torkelson]. I’m so overwhelmed!”
>>> 21-year-old lands professional contract with Dimension Data after impressing with rides on Zwift
Erath will join the previous year's Zwift Academy winner, Leah Thorvilson at the Canyon-SRAM team, as Thorvilson has been handed a one-year contract extension for 2018 with the team
Canyon-SRAM racing manager Ronny Lauke praised the performance of Thorvilson over the past season, and is looking forward to welcoming Erath.
“We took a chance with the Zwift Academy last year and we’re very happy with what it brought to our team,” said Lauke,
“Leah is a great addition and, seeing Tanja’s dedication, drive, and strength only reminds us we’ve got a great programme here to bring talent into the women’s peloton.”
Erath will make her Canyon-SRAM racing debut in the spring, and like her team-mates will benefit from the full coaching and training support from the squad.
Zwift will link up again with Canyon-SRAM towards the end of 2018 to run the initiative again and select a further rider.
In November, Zwift announced that 21-year-old New Zealand rider Ollie Jones had become the first male rider to earn a place on a professional cycling team via the Zwift Academy.
Jones beat more than 9,000 riders to gain a place on Dimension Data‘s development team.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Two epic Zwift records were set in three days
Records for most consecutive team time trails and a sub-three hour 150km ride were set in January
By Christopher Schwenker • Published
-
From straight-A student to Zwift Academy winner: Alex Morrice on her rise to the pro ranks
The 22-year-old rode her first road race in June, now she’s gearing up to join WorldTour team Canyon-Sram
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Zwift announces Academy winners who will join pro teams in 2023
Alex Morrice and Luca Vergallito have both won pro contracts for next season
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Going virtual: An 'outdoor' cyclist tries Zwift and indoor riding for the first time
After holding out against it for years, one Cycling Weekly writer finally braves the world of online cycling, with mixed results
By Adam Becket • Published
-
UCI reboots Zwift World Championships with punchy hills, elimination races and live streaming
2023 championships to consist of three key events: The Punch, The Climb and The Podium
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
One Woman's Journey from Newbie Zwift Rider to Gravel Pro in Two Years
Thirty-three-year-old Physician's Assistant Paige Onweller won the 104-mile pro race at Big Sugar in October, just two years after starting to bike.
By Christopher Schwenker • Last updated
-
Zwift commits to continuing as 'an open-platform' amid Wahoo lawsuit
Wahoo said earlier this week that it is suing both Zwift and JetBlack for alleged patent infringement in the USA
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wahoo says 'copycat' Zwift turbo trainer 'bad for cycling community'
Wahoo are suing Zwift and JetBlack for patent infringement in the US
By Adam Becket • Published