Vallieres reveals ambitions as World Champion - 'I want to win one of the Ardennes'
The World Champion has outlined plans to target the Ardennes Classics in 2026, after revealing how she has found the first few months since that defining moment in Kigali, Rwanda, back in September
Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) has reflected on the first few months of being World Champion, and has outlined an ambition to target the Ardennes in the near future, after winning the rainbow jersey in Kigali, Rwanda, in surprising but impressive fashion back in September
“It’s pretty surreal. My life has definitely changed quite a bit since,” said Vallieres on the Domestique Hotseat. “It’s a dream that you think when you start cycling, and you always see the rainbow jersey in the peloton, it’s not something that I thought I would actually get to wear. But to be able to have it, it’s a dream come true, really,” added the World Champion.
The Canadian faces the unique reality of accomplishing one of the biggest feats in cycling, despite being only 24 years old. Vallieres was asked what other races she is inspired to fight for victory in during the coming seasons after completing a bucket list goal in the sport.
“I want to win one of the Ardennes. That’s one of my dreams,” said Vallieres. “I would like to see how I can be in the GC in a few years. But, I have a lot of time and a lot of big goals,” added the World Champion.
In 2025, Vallieres finished 12th at De Brabantse Pijl and 14th at La Flèche Wallonne, whilst also competing in the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Canadian also proved her potential in the climbing department, finishing 18th in the general classification at the Tour de France Femmes in the Summer, partly down to a combative ride on stage 8 to the Col de la Madeleine.
The World Champion admitted passion and interest in further pursuing ambitions of GC racing in the future, though remained intent that there’s room to improve further in the climbing department in the coming seasons. “I really do love stage racing,” said Vallieres.
“I think I'm not strong enough yet for the long climbs. And I think for a Grand Tour, if you want to be a GC rider, you need to really have good power for the long climbs to not lose time or gain time in the GC. And yeah, I think at this moment in my development, I'm still not there."
“The goal would be to be able to go for it in a few years, but I'm not ready yet. In my team, we have Cédrine [Kerbaol], who is there at the moment. So if I can help her get the best result for the team, I think for the moment that is where it is. But for now, the one days, I think, are what I’m best at right now.”
Vallieres will also have the unique opportunity to defend her rainbow jersey on home soil in Montreal, Canada, in 2026. The route for next year's championships was decided in advance of the Canadian’s victory in Montréal, but Vallieres is content with the tough course nonetheless.
“The course was already decided before I won, but it’s a good course. I think it will just be special to race at home… I’m going to try my best to defend it,” said Vallieres.
“If everything goes well, normally I should be there [Ardennes]. It would be a big goal for me. And the main goal will also be the Worlds in Montréal next year at home.”
As the World Champion, the spotlight has naturally grown larger on Vallieres, and the Canadian has predominantly served as a domestique in recent seasons at EF Education-Oatly. Vallieres opened up on how her role within the team has changed and the balance in being a leader and also a key support rider.
“I also like being a domestique. I think I’ve gotten quite used to it and I know now how to do it,” said Vallieres. “But I’m also really looking forward to getting more opportunities and trying to go a little bit more for myself with the help of the team.”
Before potentially targeting the Ardennes, Vallieres revealed on the Domestique Hotseat that she is set to kick off her 2026 season at the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under, becoming the first reigning world champion to do so.
