Anika Brants is a rising star in Canadian cycling, hailing from Ontario. Like many Canadian athletes, she spent most of her childhood playing hockey—until the pandemic shut down the rinks. Looking for a new way to stay active, she picked up a mountain bike and quickly fell in love with the sport. That passion soon led her to racing, and in her first-ever Track Nationals, she won three national titles. At that moment, she made the bold decision to leave hockey behind and fully commit to cycling.
Anika's rapid progression in the sport saw her achieve a 4th-place finish at the Junior Track World Championships in Colombia. She has also raced extensively on the road across Europe and, more recently, found success in the American criterium scene.Now balancing academics and athletics, Anika is a full-time student at McMaster University, pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering while continuing to race at an elite level. With her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she is determined to make her mark on the international stage.
Seth’s bike hacks on YouTube inspired me to get into mountain biking during COVID. It started as a hobby but quickly took over my life and here I am 4 years later.
One person who always gets me motivated is Victor Campenaerts. As a racer I love his determination and relentlessness on the bike. I also really enjoy his YouTube videos. I appreciate that he shows the behind the scenes of a pro cyclist and I learn a lot from his videos. He motivates me to pay attention to all the small details in my life to make me the best bike racer possible.
The feeling of crossing the line first with your hands in the air.
Winning a stage at Chicago Grit this year was a win I am really proud of. Last year I raced the 2/3 category and found some success, so I jumped up to the P/1/2 field for the last race and was shocked how fast and hard the racing was. It was inspiring to see how strong these pro women were, but I thought it would take me many years to get to that level. I trained really hard throughout the year for the upcoming Chicago Grit but I didn’t know if I was going to be quite at the level to be in contention for a podium spot. Taking a stage that year was one of the most personally fulfilling results I’ve ever had.
I’ve been super fortunate to have raced my bike in many different places around the world. I think different places have different things to offer. My favorite crowd I have raced in front of was Columbia for Junior World Track Championships, that crowd was insane and unforgettable. The best place for racing I’d say is Belgium. The competition is a whole different level, and the field sizes are amazing. My favorite off the bike location was Los Angels. The beaches, coasts, and cafés made for the best rest days.
During my off season I really enjoy taking time in my day to do yoga. I find it super relaxing, and the added mobility and core strength helps out on the bike.
Just keep showing up for yourself, it’s not going to be easy at first but stick with it. It does get easier. Things will eventually fall into place.
Making a calendar and to-do list the day before to plan out my day and allocate time for everything. Especially during school, my days get quite hectic, so I find it super useful plan ahead to make sure I get my training and recovery in!
I would have to say Italy. The riding looks so nice, and the views seem spectacular. There's so many routes I’d love to do there, so it is definitely on my bucket list!
1. Thrift clothes
2. Go visit boba shops
3. Crochet
4. Hang out with my cats
5. Try new restaurants with friends
1. Glorious by Macklemore
2. HOT TO GO by Chappell Roan
3. Lose Yourself by Eminem
4. The Champ is Here by Yo$i
5. Till I Collapse by Eminem
1. Pasta with ground turkey and rose sauce
2. Halloumi and Mandarin Salad
3. Fish Tacos
4. Stroop Waffles
I can speak French!
