The 22 year old Polish rider is already one of the best riders in the world, with an extensive and rapidly growing palmares including the overall win at last month’s OVO Energy Women’s Tour.
Niewiadoma will bring her climbing strength and versatility to the team as it starts its third year in the UCI Women’s WorldTour. The Polish rider boasts podium results in one-day spring classic races such as Strade Bianche and all three Ardennes classics, as well as an impressive list of stage race victories.
Niewadoma completed the unusual feat of finishing third at each of the Ardennes classics this year, with the same podium at every race, with Niewiadoma finishing the best of the rest behind the Boels-Dolmans pair of Anna van der Breggen and Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead).
Niewiadoma spoke after the signing was confirmed.
“I have been always looking at Canyon-SRAM Racing with huge respect! To have the opportunity to be part of their team for 2018 is pretty thrilling. I believe that Canyon-SRAM is always well organised, with high quality equipment and supportive partners. I know that everybody takes a lot of effort to achieve the best possible so I am confident that I will be motivated to make 2018 as successful as possible. My goal for 2018 is the same as today: I dream of riding my bike with a rainbow jersey.”
Niewiadoma will rejoin former teammate Pauline Ferrand-Prévot when they race in the same colours for the 2018 season. “I was racing with Pauline for three years at Rabobank Women’s team. She’s a good friend, brings a good atmosphere into the team and I love to spend time with her. I’ll be looking forward to the first training camps in 2018 where I will meet all of my new teammates to get to know them better and to see where our qualities as a team can be strengthened.”
The shift is a bit of a coup for Canyon-SRAM, who have fallen behind the top teams of the sport in recent years, with teams like Boels-Dolmans and WM3 Cycling taking more top results throughout the season.
Canyon-SRAM manager Ronny Lauke said “I am very pleased that Kasia puts trust and faith into our set up to help further grow her career. I am extremely excited to start working with Kasia in the future. She is a proven climber and I believe her personality will be very welcome to the team, always smiling, positive-minded and a bike racer by heart.”
In 2018 Canyon-SRAM will look to bridge that gap to the top teams and with Niewiadoma, they'll have a top climbing talent that will enable them to challenge in the classics and the Giro Rosa. “We are putting a lot of energy into further developing young talents, helping them to reach the top step at the biggest events, providing infrastructure and the combined knowledge between the team’s staff and our partners,” added Lauke.
