Interview Sophie Edwards

The waves of Oceania reached Europe for the Summer. The white-blue jersey is presented by Sophie Edwards, who's surfing over European soil in the coming months. The 23-years old Oceania road champion started her second European campaign with good performances in Belgium and Germany. The rider from Adelaide is ready to set another step forward this year and turn fully professional. Get to know a new young talent from Down Under that we might see a lot more often in the northern classics.

This year you became Oceania road champion. What does this title & jersey mean to you?

It has been very special winning the Oceania championships and having the opportunity to wear the jersey for the rest of the year! I went into the race thinking it would be a day for pure climbers and that I wouldn’t have much of a chance, so I was very surprised and excited when I made it to the final sprint and won!

Last year you did well in your first European campaign. What are your ambitions for this year?

Last year in Europe was all about learning how the races happened, adjusting to the intensity, parcours and learning to ride as a team. This year I really hope to podium in some European races so I can find a professional contract to stay in Europe for the rest of this year and next year.

You're also racing on the track. Do you believe that it also gives you advantages in road cycling?

I think that the power and strength that I have developed through my track racing has definitely helped me survive the tough racing here on the road. I am also good at handling the high pressure environment within the velodrome so find it easier to stay calm and focussed on the road.

On which terrains would you like to improve yourself?

I’d love to keep improving everything, from my top end speed to my climbing abilities. The types of races I love to watch and be a part of are the super tough ones with lots of punchy climbs, like the spring classics, so I want to keep building my physical abilities so I can perform at races like that.

Do you believe there is enoug awareness about mental health in the peloton?

I am grateful that there are now more conversations around the mental health of elite athletes with many teams now making it a priority to have services easily accessible and without a negative stigma. I would love to see this continue building as I have always seen the importance of being mentally fit alongside physically fit when preparing to race.

You took part at the Commonwealth Games. Can you describe the impact of this event in Australia?

While the Commonwealth Games aren’t the Olympics or World Championships and are missing many of the major cycling nations- they are widely broadcast and promoted in Australia in a similar way to the Olympics. Once I was selected in the team, all my family and friends were so excited!! It’s one of the few times I can race and they can watch it live on TV easily and see our pictures in the newspaper! My grandparents saved me 6 copies of the newspaper from the day our team pursuit squad was in it! :)

What is your dream race to take part in, in the future?

I have always wanted to race in the Paris Roubaix. After a few rough races in Belgium on the cobbles I have questioned that a little. Ha ha. But I think it’s just the type of race I love- a long history, super tough, battling all day and you need a little bit of luck, but I’m sure the sense of accomplishment when you finish it would be incredible.

How did you discover the sport?

I was originally a field hockey and waterpolo player and loved team sports so came into cycling a bit late and initially struggled with the individual nature of it. In the state I am from in Australia there is a sports testing program for 13-14 year olds that identifies future sports talent. I was told that I would make a good cyclist or sprint kayaker! I tried both, falling in the water far too many times for my liking in the kayaking but loved the speed of the velodrome at first try! From there I was coached mainly on the track and have since shifted over to the road too as I love being outside and exploring nature. I’m very lucky to have grown up in Adelaide where the Tour Down Under is held so I’ve always had plenty of beautiful roads and hills to train on.

 Interview Justyna Czapla

Justyna Czapla is one of the new kids on the block in the peloton this year. She has been riding her bike since her childhood and started her racing adventure in the big pro peloton this year. A journey that started with immediate success. The 19 years old German rider took already her first top 10 spots in the first months of her pro career. In her new environment she tries to chase success and learn from all the new things that come on her path. The junior European World champion tells you more about her experiences and ambitions in this interview. 

It's your first year in the Canyon/SRAM Generation Project. What are your experiences in this very diverse team?

I feel very comfortable around my teammates and staff. Everyone is friendly and appreciates being a member of the team. It's also very interesting for me to get to know more about the culture of my teammates, who come from all over the world, and to get an idea of how cycling works in their home countries. I always enjoy racing with my team and I look forward to every race with it.

 

You have been doing very well in some very hard hilly races. How do you look back at your first months in the pro peloton?

 I'm really pleased that I've found my way around the pro peloton so quickly and have already been able to achieve some good results for the team. This shows me that I don't have to be afraid of other pro riders on a different team or have more years of experience racing than me. It’s good for my self-confidence. However, there is still a lot to improve to become a good professional rider and I’m working on that in the next years of my career.

This year, Ricarda Bauernfeind made the step up to the elite team after just one year in the development squad. Is she your inspiration to do the same?

Definitely Ricarda is my inspiration when it comes to strength on the bike and her success in some of the bigger races that we are doing this year. But, I need to take my time and I need to gain more experience with CANYON//SRAM Generation. I’m not ready to join a World Tour Team.

You became junior European time trial champion last year. Would you like to keep focusing on this discipline in the future?

In the future I would like to focus on the ITT and develop my talent there. But I don't want to focus only it , because road racing is also something I love and of course I want to do well there as well.

 

Do you care a lot about numbers & stats during training or do you prefer to listen to your feelings on the bike?

For me, my feelings on the bike have always been more important than numbers and stats during training. It's much better to listen to your body and adapt your training to it. It's no use at all if you don't feel good and still try to achieve all the numbers your body might not be strong enough for that day.

 

You have been riding since the age of 10. How did you discover the sport?

My family and I've always been very active in sports. We used to do a lot of bike rides together that took us half the day, and I really enjoyed riding my bike. It's a great feeling to feel the speed and get your legs going, and it's also nice to discover new beautiful places just by riding. So at the age of 10, I decided to join a cycling club and just see if cycling would suit me. From then on I haven't stopped going and I'm happy that I've come so far now.

 

You're good in time trialing and you climb well. Do you dream of winning the Tour de France one day?

Yes, of course! One of my biggest dreams is to ride the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and even nicer would be to win it. For now it’s a dream and maybe one day I'll be strong enough to race it.

Do you like to watch races too or you mostly like racing yourself?

I prefer racing myself, but I'm also interested in watching races because I can learn so much from the others and it’s another opportunity to gain experience for the sport.