The Power of Almost

The Zwift Academy finals offer a coveted pro contract, and for Canadian cyclist Anabelle Thomas, reaching that stage wasn’t the finish line – it was just the beginning. While fellow Canadian Noah Ramsay earned the win on the men’s side, Anabelle walked away with something just as meaningful: confirmation that she belongs, a sharper focus, and even more drive. This is the story of what she gained from almost making it – the power of almost.

Many first saw Anabelle riding with calm confidence on the Zwift Academy series. But her journey to the finals was far from overnight. Growing up in Alberta, her path was paved with years of hard work, travel, and learning how to thrive in the chaos of high-level racing. She wasn’t new to the pressure, she had already spent a full season racing in Europe at the UCI Continental level. That experience gave her perspective heading into the Academy. “I’d already raced at the Conti level,” she says. “So I came in with a bit of experience under my belt.” But it wasn’t without its own challenges. She was the only English-speaking rider on a French team, and adjusting wasn’t easy.

“The staff didn’t speak English, so it was full French immersion, the kind you don’t get growing up in Alberta,” Anabelle says. “It was isolating at times because I just couldn’t understand anything. But now, I’m actually really grateful for that experience. I can get by in French now, and I learned a lot about adapting.”

Late last season, Anabelle’s team unexpectedly folded. With her future in limbo, she doubled down. “I needed to do everything I could to keep going,” she says. That meant dialing everything in: working with a coach, a nutritionist, and a sports psychologist, and analyzing every detail for improvement. “Cycling is so competitive now. You really have to be all in.”

That mindset carried her into the Zwift Academy selection process. “I went in really confident,” she says, laughing. “Maybe even a bit overconfident, because I knew I couldn’t afford to mess it up.” She also saw it as a mental exercise. “I was trying to become the person I wanted to be. So when they asked, ‘Do you think you're going to win?’, of course I said yes. Even if part of it was talking myself into it.”

Finals week was intense: physical challenges, constant assessments, and the unblinking eye of the camera. “There were tests that didn’t even make it onto the show – and things happened in a different order than what was shown on GCN,” she says.

One day stood out. “Day three was my struggle day,” Anabelle admits. After what was supposed to be an easy spin post-circuit race, things took a turn. “We turned onto a gravel road and I thought, ‘What is going on?’ I thought we were spinning back to the hotel.” It kicked off with a steep 10% gravel climb, no end in sight. “When Zoe Backstedt started pushing hard, I thought, Okay, this is probably 10 minutes, but it kept going. Thirty minutes later the climb finally ended. I wasn’t sure if it was a test or just their idea of fun.”

Later that day they jumped into a Zwift race. “I was so overheated. The room was quite hot, some of us were wondering if it was intentional to test our heat tolerance,” she says. “Coming from the Canadian winter my body was definitely not adapted.” At a key moment in the race, she lost touch with the group. “That was the first time I felt a real gap between me and the others,” she reflects.

Throughout the week, it was clear Anabelle belonged, with many believing she may walk away with the win. She didn’t.

Though she didn’t take home the contract, Anabelle came away with something else: clarity. “Did it fuel my fire? Yeah. I don’t think there’s much more fuel I can fit in – I’m overflowing at this point,” she says, smiling. She also left with a new approach to fuelling, literally. “Before, I’d save my best nutrition for race day. I’d feel this big boost and think, "Why can’t I feel like this all the time?”

That mindset shifted when she started working with Olway™. “They asked me, ‘What if you could feel like this every session? Don’t you think you'd get stronger?’” She began using Performance Drink Mix in every workout, adjusting based on effort. “I love it. The neutral flavour isn’t overpowering, so I never get sick of it. And training with what you race with? Huge win.”

Now, Anabelle is focused on the future, racing in Europe with KDM-Pack Women Cycling Team. The objective is clear: "My goal is to go pro... somewhere where I'm getting paid so I can afford to live... that's the main objective." The stakes are high: "In my mind if I don’t get a pro contract for next year, I can’t bike. So I need to do it."

That pressure fuels her. Zwift Academy was part one. Now it's about doing everything she can to reach her goal. With three years of U23 eligibility left, she's targeting the major goals that pave the way to the pro ranks: making the selection for prestigious races like the Tour de l'Avenir, representing Canada at the Road World Championships, and delivering strong performances at Canadian Nationals are all part of the plan, alongside performing consistently for her team throughout a busy European race block. She's competing alongside a strong group of young Canadian cyclists, all pushing each other forward.

For Anabelle Thomas, "almost" wasn't an ending – it was confirmation she belongs.