Leah
Kirchmann

One of the more experienced riders on the team, Leah is in her seventh year in the professional European peloton with Team DSM.

“We have a really young team and some new riders coming up and I do like taking on that mentorship role. I think it is really satisfying to be part of their success. We’ve had riders who have stayed on the team for quite a few years and it is nice to see them grow and feel a part of that.”

After winning the Canadian time trial championships, Leah’s 2019 season was unfortunately cut short after suffering an injury at the Boels Ladies Tour. However, that only increased Leah’s desire to return to racing.

“I tried to see the injury as an opportunity. I had a good break and rebuilt with a strong foundation for this season just gone, using it as motivation to get back on the bike and compete again.”

Starting 2020 well, Leah took four top tens in Australia before like all of the Women’s peloton – her season was halted. Racing resumed and the experienced Canadian worked strongly for the team, before finishing the year with a good fifth place on GC at the Madrid Challenge. Likewise, her 2021 campaign saw her finish second overall at Festival Elsy Jacobs and sixth at the Women’s Tour.

Someone that takes the team’s mentality of Keep Challenging to heart, Leah is always looking for ways to improve as a rider.

“The team’s philosophy of Keep Challenging really fits in with my own approach of always trying to be better and developing. I think intrinsically I’m always trying to improve and be the best that I can be, and both the sport and the team provide the environment in which I can do that.”

Off the bike you will often find Leah in the kitchen, experimenting with various recipes and perfecting her banana bread that she sells at a local café. When back in Canada, she likes to spend as much time as possible outside with friends; whether that be hiking or on the bike, or even taking part in her old sport out on the skis.