Boels Dolmans announced Friday that it has signed New Zealand road race champion Niamh Fischer-Black to a contract through 2022 under the new team name SD Worx. The team has also finalized its 14-rider roster after also extending the contract with Canadian Carole-Ann Canuel.

"I am still discovering my potential as a cyclist. Everyone in the peloton is seeing how Boels Dolman can dominate in the ride. I am very proud to be part of this winning team. I think it will be an ideal learning experience for me."

Fischer Black was part of the Ekip Pole Ka team, which announced in October that it was disbanding immediately after not receiving the sponsorship money it had agreed to from its funder, Pole Ka. She began her professional career as a trainee when that team became the title sponsor of Bigla Katusha in 2019.

She is a strong climber and up-and-coming stage racing talent. This season she won the national road race title and placed second in a stage at the Giro Rosa.

"I can do my best in stage races and in classics with a lot of climbing," she said. 'I've already raced the Giro Rosa this year and I was very happy. Being second in the final stage gave me great satisfaction. It also proved that I have the ability to recover from intense workouts."[9

Team manager Danny Stam said the team will help Fischer Black grow and progress in the next two seasons at SD Works, and said he envisions a successful career for the New Zealander.

"It is only a matter of time before Fischer Black establishes herself as one of the absolute world leaders in climbing. 'She stunned us on the Giro Rosa climb. She has tremendous athleticism and impressed our athletes with how she handled the tricky sections. I am confident she will continue to make great progress with our team."

Boels Dolmans also announced a one-year contract extension with Canuel. Canadian Canuel has spent five seasons with the team, playing an important role as a support rider and enjoying success in the world rankings.

"I've been a part of the team ever since the team reached number one in the world rankings," he said. The guys on the team have really become friends over the last few years." The rough terrain appeals to me the most. I have no problem putting champions like Anna van der Breggen and Chantal Black in the limelight.

"It is special to be part of a team that has won so many victories and to know that I was part of it. The team already had an international feel, but with SD Worx as the new main sponsor, there will be even more nationalities in the mix. I for one welcome that."

Boels Dolmans, which will become SD Worx as of January 1, 2021, is currently finalizing its 14-rider roster: Anna van der Breggen, Chantal Blaak, Amy Pieters, Lonneke Uneken, Demi Vollering, Jolien d'Hoor, Christine Majerus, Elena Cecchini, Roxane Fournier, Anna Shackley, Ashleigh Moolman, Nikola Noskova and Karol-Ann Canuel, Niamh Fisher-Black.