After a successful first year with Team Bike Exchange in 2021, Urska Zigato has signed a one-year contract extension.The 24-year-old will join the Australian team from Alé BTC Ljubljana in 2021 and enjoy a full calendar of World Tour races He said.

She also scored her first European pro win with a stunning solo victory on stage 4 of the V Setmana Ciclista Valenciana-Vuelta Comunitat Valenciana Feminas in June. In addition, the team put in impressive team performances in both the one-day event and the stage race.

"I am very proud and happy to renew my contract with Team Bike Exchange for another year. I will especially remember my first win in an international competition in Valenciana," Zigato said in a statement released by the team.

Zigato admitted that his move to Bike Exchange was not without challenges, but the Slovenian learned a lot in his first year with the team.

"Coming to Team BikeExchange was like coming to the wild. I didn't know anyone, how the team worked, or how I would fit in. I learned a lot this year, both on and off the bike. I hope to carry this momentum into next year.

"Everyone on the team helps me bring out my best and shows me my weaknesses. I like that everyone is encouraging, hardworking, professional, but also family oriented, and enjoys what they do. Next year, new people and new sponsors will bring freshness to the team, and I can't wait for 2022, when we'll have a new team of people to work with and a new team to work with.

Brent Copeland, general manager of both the men's and women's teams, praised Zigato's dedication and drive to grow and improve their rankings over the past 12 months.

"We are delighted that Urschka will be joining us next season. We believed in her from the first time we signed her and she has proven to everyone that we made the right choice," Copeland said.

"She had a great win at this year's Vuelta Comunita Valenciana Feminas and has raced at a high level all season long in World Tour races. With her determination, hard work, and love for the sport, I don't think we will be disappointed in her."

BikeExchange underwent major changes in the off-season. Kristen Faulkner and Nina Kessler signed with TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank, as did Neo Pros Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Chelsea Wei Shi Tan.

Georgia Baker and Alexandra Manley returned to the team after stints elsewhere, and Grace Brown moved to FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope. Jessica Roberts moved to Cope Hitech, Sarah Roy to Canyon-SRAM Racing, and Lucy Kennedy and Janneke Ensing retired.