Australian cycling veteran Amanda Spratt feels like a "kid in a candy store" after confirming her move to Trek-Segafredo in a major world tour shake-up from next season.
The three-time Olympian, now 34, turned professional when the BikeExchange-Jayco team, then known as GreenEDGE, started in 2012.
Her two-year deal comes despite prominent Australian sports benefactor Gerry Ryan recently confirming he would continue supporting BikeExchange-Jayco for another three years.
Spratt crashed out of this year's Tour de France and was in the top 10 overall at the Giro d'Italia Donne when COVID-19 forced her withdrawal.
Those setbacks came after Spratt had returned to top form after major surgery late last year to fix Iliac artery endofibrosis, a condition that has afflicted several professional cyclists.
She said the move after 11 years would spice things up.
"I'm so grateful for these (11) years, but I just felt ready for a new challenge and a different environment," she said.
"I may be one of the older riders now, but I still feel young at heart and my move to Trek-Segafredo has me feeling like a kid in a candy store - and I like candy a lot."
She said she was prepared to play a selfless role in a strong team but also take her chances that team director Ina Teutenberg has promised will be presented to her.
"Trek-Segafredo has always been a team I've admired so much," she said.
"From the first year of the women's team, I really felt they were a team that raised the level of professionalism and support for women.
"I love that the team has such a strong vision and values and for this reason it feels like a dream for me to become part of such a special team.
"I feel ambitious for the next two seasons. I know that on this team I will have a good balance between going for results and working hard for my teammates."
She will join compatriots Lauretta Hanson and Chloe Hosking at the high-profile team and wear the Trek-Segafredo colours for the first time on home soil next year.
