We announce the contract extension of Australian rider Neve Bradbury through to the end of 2022. The winner of the 2020 Zwift Academy, Neve impressed in her first season and grasped her chance to continue with the Womenโs World Tour team.
โI know this career is what I want to do. Iโm as sure as the day I decided I wanted to be a professional cyclist that I want to continue with the team,โ explains Neve.
โCANYON//SRAM Racing and the Zwift Academyย gaveย me the opportunity to become a pro cyclist andย Iโm very excited to have my contract extended forย 2022. The team is so well supported by its many partners, and this support in turnย assists in my development as a rider.ย My teammates have been welcoming, and most are very experienced riders in the peloton.ย Iโm keenย to continue to learn as muchย from them as I can.โ
Like many first-year professionals, Neve admits it hasnโt all been smooth sailing.
โOn the positive side, Iโve been able to race with, and learn from, some very inspiring people all around the world. On the other hand, living away from my family and friends back in Australia for most of the year, and not knowing whether Iโd be able to return home due to the pandemic travel restrictions has been difficult. I had three crashes in three consecutive races which meant I lost my confidence and I had to work hard to regain it,โ adds Neve.
โMy first year racing at this level has been a steep learning curve! There are many things I can work on moving forward into 2022 such as being assertive in the bunch, my raw strength and sprint power, and utilising my energy more efficiently. I feel fortunate I have the opportunity to do that at CANYON//SRAM Racing.โ
Neve was able to return home to Melbourne, Australia and is currently busy training and preparing for the upcoming season.
โThe Australian road national championships in January arenโt a specific goal because theyโreย so soon after my off-season, butย I would still love a good result there. I hope to be selected for Australia to race the UCI Esportsย World Championships on Zwiftย in February. After these two,ย myย main priority for theย season is to race consistently well,ย with the goal of being selected in theย teamโs roster for either the Giro dโItalia, or the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.ย The Giro, with its mountains, is a race Iโve always wanted to do, and being a part of the womenโsย Tour de France avec Zwift would beย a dream come true!ย Iโm excited about the racing possibilities in 2022!โ
CANYON//SRAM Racingโs fifteenth and final rider in its 2022 rosterย will be announced later this month following the 2021 Zwift Academy finals held in Spain.