Canyon-SRAM (open in new tab) announced that it has extended its contract with Australian Neve Bradbury (open in new tab). The 19-year-old made his professional debut with the team this past season after coming through the Zwift Academy.

Bradbury's first goal after turning heads on the virtual racing platform is the Esports World Championships, where he could compete in his first Tour de France Femme Avec Zwift before focusing on the road.

"I know this career is what I want to do. I am convinced that I want to continue with this team, just as I wanted to be a professional cyclist," Bradbury said in a team press release.

"Canyon-SRAM Racing and Zwift Academy have given me the opportunity to become a professional cyclist. The team is backed by many partners and this support has helped me grow as a rider. My teammates have been warm and welcoming, and most of them are experienced riders in the peloton. I want to continue to learn as much as I can from them.

"My first year of racing at this level has been a steep learning curve, and I have a lot to work on for 2022, including assertiveness in the pack, raw strength and sprinting ability, and efficient use of energy," Bradbury said.

The COVID-19 epidemic complicated the lives of athletes, especially those from Australia, whose typical season plans were upended by travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines upon arrival, making their debut season more difficult.

"Living away from family and friends in Australia for most of the year and not knowing if I would be able to return home due to the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic was very difficult... I lost confidence after three consecutive crashes and had to work very hard to get it back. I lost confidence after crashing three races in a row and had to work very hard to get it back," explained Bradbury.

Now back at his home in Melbourne, Bradbury says he will not be in full form for the Australian Championships due to his rest, but is targeting the UCI Esports World Championships in February.

"After these two competitions, my top priority this season will be to race consistently well with the goal of being selected for the Giro d'Italia or Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift team roster."

"The Giro with its mountains is a race I have always wanted to do and being part of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift is a dream come true, I am excited about the possibility of racing in 2022."

With Bradbury's extension, the women's WorldTeam is nearly complete and another will be announced after this month's Zwift Academy final.