Niamh Fisher-Black is the reigning world U23 champion. At the World Championships in Wollongong, she was the only one within the U23 category to go all the way to the finish with the best riders in the race. It was the finale of a season in which she took another important step towards the world top in climbing. "It is very cool to be the world champion in the U23. Only a select club of riders ever got to don such a jersey, so I'm kind of proud of it."

Fisher-Black's achievements last year included a fifth place overall at the Giro, putting three youth classifications to her name and riding a balanced spring in service. She comes into her own best in stage races and climbing classics. "Niamh's growth was very fast over the past two seasons. That's nice, but at a certain point it also becomes harder to make further progress," sports manager Danny Stam points out. "Still, I think it should be possible for her to continue to grow. I think we can expect that extra step from her again this season. She does have an iron head. That's an advantage, but sometimes it's also difficult because Niamh sometimes expects too much of herself. But it has also brought her to where she is today. She is a rider I expect should be able to continue developing in 2023."

Niamh - pronounced Neevh - Fisher-Black is already driven to claim her place at the top in 2023. "Team SD Worx has definitely made me a stronger rider. There is a good balance here between being focused working towards a race and being given space to let off some steam. It's a team with riders who all feel a strong connection with each other, so we work well together in a race. That makes each rider individually stronger. This environment therefore motivates me to get the best out of myself. In my third season at Team SD Worx, I want to develop further. I have already made giant strides in the last two years. This season I am even more ambitious. After all, there are some race victories among my goals."

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