A Sunshine Coast cycling team-member says he is “shocked” to win a global talent ID competition.
Teenager Alex Bogna and female winner, Dutchwoman Maud Oudeman, beat a combined field of 150,000 riders to win the Zwift Academy Road event and were rewarded with a contract with elite team Alpecin-Fenix for 2022.
The 19-year-old was one of 10 riders selected for the final in Spain, after impressing in a series of competitions on the Zwift online fitness platforms.
The finalists faced daily challenges in the final, both on Zwift and on the famous Mallorcan climbs.
All the action was captured in a five-episode series hosted by Global Cycling Network, which you can watch on YouTube.
Bogna demonstrated his skill and impressive power on the climbs, and he left nothing to chance in the final Zwift race.
“I have no words”, Bogna said via Zwift.
“Zwift Academy is just such a fantastic opportunity.”
“When I found out I’d made it to the finals I was so happy.
“I wanted to have a great week of riding and really give myself a chance of winning the contract.
“Honestly, I’m in shock, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Bogna is from Mackay and has been racing and training with the semi-professional development team on the Sunshine Coast, ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast, for the past two years.
ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast team director Henk Vogels said Bogna was “a really talented kid, who is a strong climber.”
“He had some injuries so just started doing Zwift races during the year, and got picked up for the academy and ended up winning the whole lot.”
Bogna will join his Alpecin-Fenix team-mates in early 2022, on a three-year contract with their development team.
Meanwhile, Oudeman has won a contract with elite women’s team CANYON//SRAM Racing.
CANYON//SRAM Racing Team Manager, Ronny Lauke said the program identified top riders and helped them realise their dreams.
“The Zwift Academy continues to identify raw talent that has the ability to become top level cyclists in the sport,” he said.
“The recent winners have all shown this with their impact on road cycling and results
“In 2021, it was great that the Zwift Academy Finals were able to be held as a camp again.
“The level of competitiveness among the riders was very strong. ”
Rising star farewells team
A rising cycling star has savoured her time with the Sunshine Coast’s semi-professional team, ahead of her move to the elite ranks.
Ruby Roseman-Gannon farewelled ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast in style during the weekend, when she dominated USC Cycle Sunshine Coast.
The 23-year-old won all four stages of the National Road Series event, which included a criterium at Maroochydore, road races at Peachester and North Arm, and a time trial at Sippy Downs.
She finished 39 seconds ahead of Josie Talbot.
It was her last race with the team, before she joins Australia’s leading professional cycling outfit, Team BikeExchange.
“I’m super appreciative for ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast and the Council here and my teammates, all the staff for all the support over the last two years,” she said.
“So, it’s the least I could do to finish it off and win GC (general classification).”
The talented sprinter clinched the overall national series title as well, after winning the Gibraltar to Inverell race earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, Inform TMX Make’s Brenton Jones won the men’s event at USC Cycle Sunshine Coast, winning three of the four stages across the weekend.
A full recap show from the USC Cycle Sunshine Coast will be broadcast via SBS at 4.30pm on December 26.
