November 6 - December 17
Always dreamed of going pro? This is
YOUR moment! Lay down pro-worthy
performances throughout the Academy to
prove you’re the best of the best, and
you’ll have a chance to earn a spot on
either CANYON//SRAM Generation or
Alpecin-Deceuninck Development.
CANYON//SRAM
With fifteen riders from nine different countries, Women’s WorldTour team CANYON//SRAM Racing is the home of a diverse group of highly ambitious women who are willing to invest in their future and the future of cycling by breaking new grounds and constantly challenging themselves and their competitors.
The Zwift Academy women’s winner will earn a spot on CANYON//SRAM Generation—the development team for the WorldTour Team. CANYON//SRAM Generation creates a formal pathway for riders to progress to the Women’s WorldTour.
Alpecin-Deceuninck
Alpecin-Deceuninck has some of the best riders in cycling—from road and cyclocross to mountain biking. With World Championship stripes in multiple disciplines under Mathieu Van der Poel, they’ve quickly become one of the best pro teams. They’re no strangers to Grand Tours either, winning four stages of the 2023 Tour de France.
The Zwift Academy men’s winner will earn a spot on Alpecin-Deceuninck Development—a development team for the Alpecin-Deceuninck WorldTour Team that will prepare them for the WorldTour.
Requirements for being a contender:
There are a few requirements you must hit in order to compete for the pro contracts with CANYON//SRAM Generation or Alpecin-Deceuninck Development teams.
You must:
•Be aged 18 years or older as of January 1, 2024.
•Graduate Zwift Academy 2023
•Complete the LONG version of all six structured workouts.
•Complete BOTH races in subgroups A or B.
•Ensure your height and weight are accurately entered into Zwift before you begin the program.
•Use a heart rate monitor for all Zwift Academy events.
•Use a smart trainer or smart bike with +/- 2.5% accuracy.
And some people aren’t eligible for consideration…
•Cyclists who are former Zwift Academy Champions are ineligible.
•You cannot have any doping violations from any governing authority.
•Cyclists who are part of, or have been part of, a men’s UCI WorldTour team, Women’s World Tour Team or a men’s UCI Pro Team (listed below) are ineligible.
Lists of teams:
•Women’s World Tour Teams
•Men’s World Tour Teams
•Men’s UCI Pro Teams
•Additionally, you cannot have a contract with any UCI World Tour, UCI Women’s World Tour, men’s UCI Pro or UCI Continental team for the 2024 season, unless there is a break clause in it.
•Cyclists who have previously competed in a men’s WorldTour race are also ineligible.
Terms and Conditions
To learn more about the Pro Contender Program, click here.