Mitchelton-Scott announced contract extensions on Friday with Australian riders including Grace Brown, Sarah Roy, Jess Allen, and Lucy Kennedy. The team, currently registered with the Women's World Tour as GreenEdge Cycling, will support lone leader Amanda Spratt in 2021.

"I am really excited for next year. With some results at the end of the season, next year is going to be pretty exciting. I can see myself being the leader in a few races and that will be cool," Braun said in a team press release. ''It's been a lot of fun stepping up this year, and the change in team structure will open things up. A lot of players are going to step up and I'm looking forward to that environment."

The team announced earlier this year that it had signed Spratt to a two-year contract through 2022. Annemiek van Fruten will move to Movistar next year, ending her five-year contract with the Australian team.

Mitchelton Scott has already announced the new signings of Tenniel Campbell from Valcar Travel & Services, Ane Santesteban from Serratizit-WNT, and Ariana Fidanza from Lot Soudal Ladies. Gracie Ervin announced her retirement at the end of the season.

Brown has had an exceptional season, including a podium finish at the national championships, a second place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and a win at Brabanthe Paille.

"We know Grace's strength and qualities as a rider and last year we put her through a fairly in-depth program to gain experience. Team Director Martin Vestby said, "Her success in the last few races is no surprise to us. We have seen how strong she is, both as a time trial rider and as a classic rider. When you can race well, you start to crack the code of how you should race and how you should use your strengths and experience in the best way.

"I have no doubt that she will be the star of some races next year, but she also has the strength to be a support rider in races that don't suit her 100%."

Allen returns to the team as a solid domestique and has spent the past five years in this program.

"It will be very exciting to run with riders from different cultures and nationalities. I'm looking forward to meeting new girls and winning a lot of bike races with the team," Allen said.

Kennedy is one of the strongest climbers in the peloton and will support Spratt on the mountain courses. He is also expected to serve as a leader when the opportunity arises.

"Mitchelton Scott feels more than ever the right place for me now that the 2020 challenge has brought us closer together. Especially for the Aussie riders, we understand the difficulties each of us has faced and have supported each other through them. I am also proud of the way the team overcame the difficulties earlier this year. The team fought hard to keep going. I am happy to reward this loyalty," Kennedy said.

Roy has three top-five finishes, including fourth in Ghent-Wevelgem and De Panne and fifth in the Tour of Flanders, and is looking forward to the spring classics in 2021.

"I am very grateful to be working with this team for another year. Next year the team will be a lot different, we will be on our toes, the riders will change, and there will be some little changes.