Mitchelton Scott announced Wednesday that he has signed Ane Santesteban as a key support rider for Amanda Spratt for the 2021 season. The Spanish climber, who raced for two years in the Serratigit-WNT, will focus on supporting Spratt in the Ardennes Classics and the Giro d'Italia International Feminile next season.

"I am very happy to join the team. We have raced a lot of races together, I watch them all the time and I think they are a really good group. All the girls and staff are like a family, and when I talked to the team it was a great conversation, so I was really happy to join the team," said Sant'Esteban. [Honestly, another reason I'm happy to be on the team is Amanda Spratt. She is a very good climber, she always won medals at the recent World Championships, and she was really strong at the Giro d'Italia. So I am happy to be able to run with her as a climber and also with the other girls. They really work as a team, so I want to learn from them and do my best to do well with them."

Santesteban was the team's first contract announcement after world champion Annemiek van Grooten decided to move to Movistar next season.

Mitchelton Scott named Spratt, who has been with the team since its inaugural season in 2012, as the lone leader for next season.

Spratt is a versatile athlete with strong performances in the spring classics and the Giro Rosa, finishing in the top five in three events while supporting overall winner Van Breuten, who finished third on the podium in both 2018 and 2019. She took her only stage win two seasons ago. This year, she was forced to abandon the race after crashing on stage 7 and suffering a shoulder and concussion. Van Vleuten also abandoned with a broken wrist.

Santesteban is a strong climber and GC contender who has twice finished inside the top 10 at the Giro Rosa, including seventh overall this year, and once inside the top 10 at the former Emmacmen Vila.

"I have really grown as a rider and a person over the last few years. I want to be happy in the team again. I am a really positive person and I want to contribute to the spirit of the group," said Santesteban.

Director Martin Vestby said the team is looking to rebuild its roster to compete for the overall title in the Giro Rosa, spring classics, and other mountain races in 2021.

"Our goal is to have a good climbing group for the Giro d'Italia, the Ardennes, and those mountain races. Along with Spratty, Lucy (Kennedy), and Georgia Williams, Sant'Esteban is the perfect addition. She understands Spratty's support role well, but she also has her sights set on her own results, having just finished seventh overall in the Giro."

"She hasn't won many races, but she is consistent and has done well in hilly races. She has experience, but I think the change in environment and our support system will really help her take the next step." She will strengthen the climbers group and we will be able to cut more cards."