Zwift announced the 2019 finalists for the Zwift Academy, with six finalists competing to become one of two riders signed to the Canyon-SRAM and NTT Pro Cycling U23 teams.

From a pool of 68,000 riders, the field was narrowed down to just six through a series of workouts, tests, and training sessions that took place over several months. The finalists will attend each team's training camp in Spain in early December for a final challenge before a winner is determined.

Testing will include virtual sessions on Zwift, as well as road riding with potential new teammates. Riders will be evaluated not only on raw talent, but also on race technique, communication skills, and teamwork; Canyon and NTT U23 coaches, staff, and riders will select two winners.

Canyon-SRAM's three finalists include 2018 U23 South African road race champion Catherine Colin and 22-year-old Australian Jessica Pratt, who competed in this year's Tour Down Under and Herald Sun Tour. Twenty-nine-year-old Samara Shepherd of New Zealand, who raced in 2015 in Biscayne Durango, rounds out the women's trio.

18-year-old Drew Christensen and 20-year-old cyclo-crosser Campbell Pitty, who both competed in the junior road race at this year's UCI Road World Championships, made the finals, and two New Zealanders were selected as candidates for the NTT Pro Cycling U23 national team. 19-year-old Mathijs Loman of the Netherlands was the third male finalist.

One winner will be selected from each trio, and the athletes will join past winners Leah Thorvilson, Tanya Ellas, and Ella Harris at Canyon-SRAM, while the men's winner will race with 2018 winner Martin Labricci at NTT U23.