Canyon-SRAM has been a team leader when it comes to "Zwifting" after partnering with the virtual cycling platform four years ago and launching a successful Zwift Academy program. the COVID-19 pandemic has brought real world cycling With events suspended and athletes training indoors, the UCI Women's World Team has returned to its roots, leading a series of group rides and races throughout the month of April.

This month, Canyon Slam athletes can be found almost everywhere in Zwift. The team is leading the third two-stage Women's Tour, which runs April 5-14. Stage 1 is the Volcano Flat Reverse and Stage 2 is the NYC QOM After Party, with flat and mountain opportunities.

Participants need only complete one of the stages to receive a stylish SRAM jersey. Riders who complete both stages will be entered into a drawing for two SRAM FORCE eTap AXS™ group sets (opens in new tab), SRAM's latest innovation. Five additional riders will win a $50 SRAMNATION gift card for completing the tour.

On the Women's Tour stage are Kasia Niewiadoma, Hannah Barnes, Christa Riffel, Hannah Ludwig, Alexis Ryan, Ella Harris, Rotem Gafinovitz, and Tanja Erath, Jess Pratt to run with them.

They also compete in the Pro/Am Invitational Zwift Classics, a series of six unique races held in different Zwift worlds. The Pro/Am women's teams and Pro/Am men's teams in this series alternate between different races; the Pro/Am women's teams, including Canyon-SRAM, start the Zwift Classics with the Yorkshire Grand Prix on April 5, followed by the Trofeo Bologna (April 13) and Watopia Cup (April 21) will also lead the race.

The Canyon-SRAM area will also host a series of individual group rides led by riders such as Tiffany Cromwell. This Australian rider will lead a one-hour ride in partnership with team sponsor Rapha, and participants will be able to ask her questions.

Canyon-SRAM has a four-year history with Zwift after partnering to create the Zwift Academy program in 2016. The academy allowed amateur riders to train with a team, prove they were worthy of competing in top-level races, and then try to win a contract to race in the professional ranks.

Just under 9,000 women participated in the 2019 Zwift Academy, an 80 percent increase over 2018.

Since its inception, four riders have earned professional contracts with Canyon-SRAM, including Leah Thorvilson, Tanya Ellas, Ella Harris, and the latest winner, Jessica Pratt.