The UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) is pleased to announce the composition of its UCI Women’s Continental Team, the WCC Team
Based in Aigle, Switzerland, the UCI WCC – the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI’s) training and development centre – welcomes athletes from different cycling disciplines and from different regions of the world. During their time in Aigle, these talented athletes benefit from professional support, state-of-the-art training facilities and experience of high-level competition. Launched in 2016 and granted UCI Women’s Continental Team status in 2020, the WCC Team is fully aligned with this development mission, enabling promising young road riders from emerging cycling nations to train and race in Europe. They develop in a multi-cultural environment where they learn, are challenged and receive guidance as they move forward in their sporting careers.
Over the years, the WCC Team has enabled many young athletes to compete against some of the best riders in the world and gain visibility on the international stage. The team has established itself as a genuine stepping-stone towards professional cycling, with several former riders going on to join teams competing at the highest level.
For 2026, the WCC Team is made up of ten riders representing ten nations across four continents: Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Rwanda, Switzerland and Ukraine. Through this diversity, the team fully embodies the UCI WCC’s commitment to knowledge-sharing, talent development and the globalisation of women’s cycling. Following a training camp in Calpe, Spain, in February, the group returned to Aigle to continue training and start their racing season.
This year, the cosmopolitan squad is coached by Italian former professional Valentina Scandolara, who arrived in Aigle after a career notably marked by three European titles and podium finishes at the UCI Road World Championships.
“I really like the concept behind this team, especially because it brings together riders of so many different nationalities that are quite rare in cycling – precisely because the goal of this project is to bring the opportunity to athletes from countries where cycling is not the main sport. It’s a unique project, and I’m really happy to be part of it. All the girls are eager to learn and improve every day. I believe that this mindset is one of the most important indicators of long-term success, and I feel privileged to be able to share my knowledge and passion with them,” explains Valentina Scandolara.
Under her guidance, the riders will work not only on their physical condition but also on all elements that can make the difference in international road cycling, such as race reading, tactical awareness, communication, positioning in the peloton and team spirit.
Team members
Yuldoz Hashimi (Afghanistan), 25 A road specialist, Yuldoz Hashimi has achieved several podium finishes at the Afghan National Championships in both the road race and the individual time trial. She has also secured top-10 results at the Gran Premio della Liberazione in Italy (class 1.2U), the Asian Games and the Asian Continental Championships, before finishing 26th in the individual time trial at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Nesrine Houili (Algeria), 22 Competing on both road and track, Nesrine Houili first won the African continental title in the individual time trial in 2022 and has gone on to collect several medals in the same event since then. Algerian National Champion in both the road race and time trial, she also competed in the road race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Anna Kolyzhuk (Ukraine), 21 Anna Kolyzhuk competes in both road and track disciplines. In 2025 she finished 11th at the Grote Prijs Schellebelle in Belgium (class 1.1) after placing 6th in the Under 23 category in the road race at the Ukrainian National Championships in 2024. On the track, she has also achieved several top-15 finishes at the UEC Track Under 23 European Championships in the omnium and Madison. Her ambition is clear: “I would like to find a professional team to continue my career. For that I need results this year. I would also like to win medals at the UCI Track World Championships and the UEC European Championships and qualify for the Olympic Games. That is my dream, and I keep it in mind every day during training.”
Gabriela López Irreño (Colombia), 22 A road specialist, Gabriela López Irreño stood out in 2025 with 7th place at the Grand Prix Boquerón in El Salvador (class 1.1) and another 7th place in the road race at the Colombian National Championships. She also finished in the top 10 at the Grand Prix Presidente in El Salvador (class 1.1) and the Vuelta a Colombia (class 2.2).
Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse (Mauritius), 25 Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse arrives with solid experience and an already impressive record on the road. In 2025 she won a stage of the Pupkewitz Megabuild Windhoek Women Tour 2.2 in Namibia. She has also earned several medals in the team time trial at the CAC African Road Championships between 2022 and 2025, and was crowned Mauritian Under 23 time trial National Champion in 2023.
Florencia Monsálvez (Chile), 18 At just 18 years old, Florencia Monsálvez is a versatile cyclist with impressive results on both the road and in mountain bike. Chilean National Champion in mountain bike cross-country Olympic (XCO) and cross-country short track (XCC) in 2024 and 2025, she finished 7th in the Junior XCO event at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and second at the South American Cross-country Eliminator Championships the same year. Her results earned her 4th place in the UCI Cross-country Women Junior Ranking. The reigning National Champion in the Junior individual time trial on the road brings a young, explosive and already internationally experienced profile to the team.
Jazilla Mwamikazi (Rwanda), 21 Jazilla Mwamikazi also combines road and mountain bike. Multiple Rwandan National Champion in the road race and individual time trial, she finished 4th at the CAC African Road Championships in the Under 23 category of both events in 2024 and 2025, and represented her country at the UCI Road World Championships the same years. She became the first Rwandan woman to compete in the mountain bike at the Olympic Games, in Paris 2024. Her long-term goal is clear: “I want to become a professional rider and join a good team. My dream is also to take part in the Tour de France. And if I qualify, I would like to return to the Olympic Games.”
Janice Stettler (Switzerland), 21 A road rider, Janice Stettler finished 5th in the Under 23 road race and 6th in the Under 23 time trial at the Swiss National Championships in 2024. She also recorded a top-20 result at the Chrono ‘Roland Bouge!’ (class 1.2) the same year. Her familiarity with the Swiss and European racing environment is of valuable benefit for the squad.
Georgette Vignonfodo (Benin), 18 Georgette Vignonfodo is among the youngest athletes in the team. A double Benin Junior National Champion in both the road race and individual time trial (2024 and 2025), she has been selected for several African development initiatives. Her arrival in the WCC Team is part of a long-term progression and learning pathway.
Serkalem Taye Watango (Ethiopia), 24 A road specialist, Serkalem Taye Watango podiumed at the Ethiopian National Championships in 2024 and 2025, including the national title in the individual time trial in 2024. A member of the squad that won the Junior team time trial African title in 2019, she has also achieved several top-5 finishes and podiums at the CAC African Road Championships between 2019 and 2025 in the road race as well as the individual and team time trial. She approaches the 2026 season with solid continental experience that she will build on as part of the European peloton.
Despite their different backgrounds, all ten athletes are driven by the same ambition, and the WCC Team will enable them to continue their development and unlock their full potential. Coach Valentina concludes:
“I’m very excited to see where this adventure will take each of them, whether that means earning a contract with a professional team or becoming future leaders and role models for cycling in their countries. It truly feels like being part of something bigger, and I’m doing my best to help build something that will bear fruit for many years to come.”