Calgary teenager Alex Volstad, a two-time Canadian junior road race champion, is joining the EF-Oatly-Cannondale cycling team next season.
Volstad, 18, joins fellow Canadian Alison Jackson (Vermilion, Alta.), Clara Emond (Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.) and Magdeleine Vallieres (Sherbooke, Que.) in EF-Oatly-Cannondale colours.
“Next year, I just want to learn as quickly as I can and to get the hang of elite racing,” Volstad said in a statement. “I’ll help my teammates as much as I can and learn from them as much as I can.
"I think EF-Oatly-Cannondale will be a great team to help me develop. I can learn a lot from the experienced riders here and the bold style of racing inspires me a lot. I’m not nervous but I am buzzing.”
Growing up, Volstad took up cycling as a summer sport while speedskating in the winter. She started on the track before widening her cycling interests.
“I love the outdoors. I just love exploring places and going as far as I can on my bike and meeting people from all over the world." she said. "Honestly, I don’t think anything else could have brought me this far across the world. It’s a unique experience and I just love it so much."
Volstad has been riding for the Dutch-based Watersley R&D Road Team.
In September, she finished 12th in the junior road race and 36th in the junior time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.
"I was impressed by her maturity,” EF-Oatly-Cannondale general manager Esra Tromp said in a statement. "She’s a young woman on a mission, who knows what she wants and what she needs. Alex has a really good sprint, has technical ability, and can read a race.
"Alex is super-young. She'll be a first-year elite next year so we need to make her a program that fits her development. Her great character and great physical capabilities make Alex a perfect addition for our team."
---
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
The Canadian Press