Urska Zigato is leaving her longtime team, Alley BTC Ljubljana, to sign a one-year contract with Mitchelton Scott starting in 2021. According to the team's press release, the Slovenian time trial champion hopes to continue her development with the Australian team and make a name for herself in the team's climbing group.

"It was a big decision to change teams over the last years, BTC City Ljubljana has been my home since I started cycling and I am very grateful to them for helping me get to know the world of cycling and racing. I feel now is the right time to step out of my comfort zone, broaden my horizons, and challenge myself with a new foreign team," Zigato said.

"I have always admired the winning mentality of this team and the relaxed, family-like atmosphere. There are so many talented riders and staff and I can't wait to learn from them. So when I got the opportunity to join this team, I didn't have to think too much about it."

Zigato is the second Slovenian to join Mitchelton Scott, following last week's contract extension for compatriot Luka Mejek, and the third new signing for the women's team after Arianna Fidanza and Teniel Campbell.

"I've always heard Luka (Mejek) say only good things about the team. He is happy here and said the atmosphere in the team is great, everything is properly organized and works well.

"I'm good at climbing and stage racing, so I want to improve that as well as the level of hard, hilly one-day races. Also, I've always liked time trials, but I feel like I'm missing something to be good at them, so I want to improve on that." Mitchelton Scott has always done well in these types of races, so I am confident that next year I will be here to help the leaders and learn from them so I can grow better."

Zigato has been racing with a version of the Ale BTC Ljubljana team since 2015. She has top 10 finishes at the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas and the Tour de l'Ardèche.

"Having Urska on our team brings us all great joy. Having Urschka provide great support on the climbs is an area the team has wanted to invest in.

"We believe that Urschka stepping up to the World Tour level will definitely bring out the best in her, and both she and the team need to understand where her limits are. We intend to give Urschka the support she needs to achieve her goals, as we do with every player on the team."