In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at this new force entering the women’s peloton, and how Zwift Academy continues to provide an unconventional avenue to success for talented riders.
A breakout performance
The 2025 Zwift Academy saw riders from around the globe vying for the chance to earn a professional contract. It takes more than just a high FTP or great endurance to win: the competition evaluates a broad range of abilities, from tactical awareness to handling skills. Dixon made an immediate impression with her performance in the initial eight-minute hill climb test, a brutal effort that showcased her climbing capabilities. If that wasn’t enough, she then went on to record the fastest time around a technical go-kart track, proving she had the bike-handling skills and race instincts needed to thrive in the pro peloton.
What is the Zwift Academy?
The Zwift Academy has become one of the most exciting talent identification programmes in professional cycling. Launched in 2016, the initiative is a collaboration between Zwift and professional teams, offering a unique pathway for amateur riders to earn a professional contract. Unlike traditional scouting methods, which often require years of club-level racing and participation in national or international events, Zwift Academy levels the playing field by allowing cyclists from around the world to compete virtually.
Each year, thousands of riders enter the programme, completing a series of structured workouts and races on Zwift’s virtual training platform. The initial rounds assess raw power, endurance, and racecraft, gradually narrowing the field to a handful of finalists. These riders then attend an intensive training camp, where they are tested in real-world conditions, including power output challenges, technical skills tests, and tactical decision-making.
Riders like Ella Harris and Neve Bradbury, both former Academy champions, have transitioned successfully to the WorldTour, proving that the programme is more than just a virtual training competition—it’s a legitimate launchpad for professional careers.
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Making the leap to pro contender
Dixon initially entered the scene in 2024, finishing 23rd in the UCI Junior Road World Championships and competing in Junior Nations Cup events across Europe. These high-level junior races are where future stars cut their teeth, and Dixon showed that she could hold her own against the best young riders in the world.
While many talented juniors struggle to transition to the elite level, Dixon’s performance at the Zwift Academy suggests she has the all-around ability needed to succeed. Her combination of climbing power, technical skill, and racecraft made her an obvious choice for CANYON//SRAM Zondacrypto Generation.
For Dixon, winning the Zwift Academy was undoubtedly a life-changing moment. Having only picked up cycling amid the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, her journey to professional racing could be fairly classified as meteoric.
“I don’t know how to put my words together, but it’s life-changing,” Dixon told Cyclingnews after being announced as the winner. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of. When I think of myself as a young kid, I wasn’t sure who I was, but cycling helped me find that, and it gave me drive and something I really loved. I have so much fun on the bike, and if I get to do that every day, that’s pretty incredible.”
The moment she was declared the winner was emotional—both for Dixon and for those closest to her. She immediately called her parents in Melbourne, overwhelmed with gratitude for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
“[My parents] put in so much. That’s why I was so emotional when I called them,” Dixon said. “They drove me to every race, and they were there for me, even if I bossed them around a bit at the start of the races. They did everything they could, gave up weekend commitments for me, and they’ve been by my side the whole time. They always, always believed in me, even when I haven’t believed in myself.”
Indeed, her story underscores the vital role of programmes like Zwift Academy in providing opportunities for riders who might not have had the chance to break into the European racing scene otherwise. As an Australian, Dixon knows firsthand the financial and logistical barriers that often come with trying to make it in professional cycling.
“Australia is so detached from the rest of the world and same with a lot of other countries, it feels so far away,” she said. “I think that’s why I’m so shocked because it’s something that I’ve dreamed of, but I didn’t really think was possible. Financially, it’s so expensive to come over to Europe and race.”
The evolution of talent identification in women’s cycling
Dixon’s success story is part of a larger trend in how professional teams are identifying talent. The Zwift Academy has become a major pipeline for young riders looking to break into the sport, offering an alternative pathway to the traditional route of progressing through club teams and national federations.
With data-driven performance analysis, online competitions, and real-world testing, teams now have more ways than ever to spot potential. This evolution has made it possible for athletes from non-traditional cycling nations and those who lack access to a robust local racing scene to prove themselves at an international level.
What’s next for Dixon?
Signing with CANYON//SRAM Zondacrypto Generation is huge, but it’s also fair to say that the real work begins now. Dixon will have to adapt to the rigours of racing at the elite level, taking on longer races, tougher competition, and the mental and physical demands of professional cycling. Fortunately, she will be joining a team that has a strong reputation for developing young riders.
The CANYON//SRAM development programme is designed to nurture emerging talent, providing them with the support and experience needed to transition to the WorldTour level. If Dixon continues on her current trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her earning a place on the senior CANYON//SRAM Racing squad within the next few years.
A name to watch in the women’s peloton
The emergence of riders like Emily Dixon and other young talents from around the globe is a promising development for the landscape of women’s cycling. With more teams investing in development and alternative pathways like Zwift Academy providing new opportunities, the sport is just going to keep getting stronger, more diverse, and more fun to watch. And indeed, with the backing of a top-tier development team, the future looks very bright for the latest Zwift Academy champion!
