Canadian Rising Star Anika Brants Joins Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24

December 3, 2024

Renowned Development Team Welcomes Talented Young Sprinter with Olympic Aspirations

Roanoke, VA December 3, 2024 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is proud to welcome Anika Brants, an exceptional young talent from Ontario, Canada, to its roster for the 2025 season. Known for her grit and versatility, Brants brings a fresh dynamic to the team’s lineup as she sets her sights on continued growth on both the road and track.

“I’m super stoked to be joining Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 this upcoming season!” Brants shared. “As a young rider, it’s an incredible opportunity to learn from such a talented roster and be part of a team renowned for developing world-class athletes. I’m excited to grow both on the road and on the track with the team’s support and guidance. I look forward to this upcoming season with the team!”

Brants’ journey to cycling is as unique as it is inspiring. Born in London, Ontario, and now living in Strathroy, her athletic roots lie in hockey—a sport she played passionately until the pandemic temporarily closed the rinks. Turning to mountain biking to pass the time, she quickly discovered her love for cycling and transitioned to competitive racing. Her meteoric rise in the sport has been nothing short of remarkable.

After winning three national titles at her first Track Nationals, Brants committed fully to cycling, leaving hockey behind. Her standout performances have since included a fourth-place finish at the Junior Track World Championships in Colombia, podium placements at the Pan American Track Championships, and victories in top-tier road and criterium races across North America. With three years of racing experience under her belt, Brants continues to push boundaries as both an athlete and a full-time student at McMaster University, where she is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” Brants said, reflecting on her philosophy as an athlete. This mindset has fueled her success and sets her apart as she prepares for her ultimate goal: representing Canada at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Nicola Cranmer, General Manager of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, shared her excitement about Brants’ addition to the team. “Anika is a phenomenal talent with incredible potential on both the track and road. Her hard work, determination, and adaptability are exactly what we look for in our athletes. While our focus remains on developing U.S. athletes, we believe that integrating top up-and-coming talents like Anika from other nations elevates the team as a whole. A collaborative and collective approach is essential to raising the bar for everyone.”

As Brants joins Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, she will benefit from the team’s proven track record of developing elite athletes, including multiple Olympic and World Championship medalists. With her eyes firmly set on the future, Brants embodies the spirit of ambition that defines the team.

About Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24

When the team was formed in 2005, the goal was to create a pathway for athletes to the 2012 London Olympics. In 2009, the team’s name became TWENTY12, changing every four-year cycle, followed by TWENTY16, TWENTY20, and now TWENTY24, representing the Paris 2024 Olympics. The TWENTY24 program is responsible for developing many of the most successful American female cyclists to date. It has created opportunities for elite, junior development, and para-cycling athletes. TWENTY24 has established a consistent athlete talent pipeline for road and track cyclists and additionally provides opportunities for athletes who excel in the virtual world of Zwift eSports and the relatively new dynamic discipline of gravel racing. The team identifies and develops high-performance athletes and the next generation of competitive cyclists, and is committed to successfully aligning student-athletes with college scholarships through cycling and academics.

Key sponsors and partners of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 include Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Felt Bicycles, Zwift, Berglund Automotive, Kenda Tires and Velotec.

Media Contact: Nicola Cranmer
Email: teamtwenty24@gmail.com
Cell: +1 415 246 8791