Amanda Spratt has signed a two-year contract extension with Mitchelton Scott.

The news means that Spratt, a three-time national road champion, will assume the team's main leadership position following road world champion Annemieke van Fruten's move to Movistar next season.

Keeping Spratt, who joined the team in 2012, is a major sign of commitment from team owner Jerry Ryan, who has funded both the women's and men's teams for almost a decade. For Spratt, the decision ensures that she will have more responsibility in the coming season as she takes charge of the Women's World Tour team.

"I feel really ready to take on a leadership role in my career.

"There will be more pressure, but I think I'm ready for it. When I've had opportunities to lead in the past, I've done a good job. [I want to win races for the team and help my teammates win. The Ardennes Classic is always a target and the Giro Rosa is another race I want to win for the team; I want to win a top-five finish and repay the team's faith in me."

Spratt has had great success on the road, winning the Tour Down Under three times, and also winning in Europe. He has been on the podium twice at the World Championships, winning silver and bronze medals.

"It means a lot to stay here, I've been here since the start of 2012 and it's really become like a family to me. [I feel like I've been in my best season the last couple of years and I really believe this is the best place to continue that. Sometimes I want to have more confidence in myself and save my energy for those moments when I know I can win and have a great team around me. I am confident that next year is going to be a really exciting year to see what we can do."

For Jerry Ryan, who clearly has the utmost respect for Spratt both on and off the bike, the contract renewal was both a reward for the rider's commitment and a vote of confidence in her future performance.

"Amanda is one of the founding members of Green Edge Cycling and her contributions to the team both on and off the bike are unmatched. Amanda is one of the founding members of Green Edge Cycling and her contributions to the team both on and off the bike are immeasurable.

"She has produced results for us from the very first national championships and it has been very satisfying to watch her continue to develop over the past nine years into the world-class rider she is today. Over the past two years in particular, Amanda has proven that she can compete with the top riders on an equal footing, although winning a medal at the World Championships is no easy task." We are confident that our support and trust in her in the big races over the next two years will be well rewarded.