Following a truly incredible three years with ORICA-AIS, I’m happy to announce that I have signed a two-year deal with Wiggle Honda for the 2016-2017 seasons. After ten years as a professional cyclist, and three years with at ORICA-AIS, I’m ready for new challenges and a bit of a change. I’m really proud of what I’ve learned and achieved professionally during the last ten years, and I’m confident that Wiggle Honda is the right place for me to continue to learn and grow as I call a close to my career.

The 2016 season is an Olympic year, and it’s no secret that Rio is my main goal alongside my typical objectives at the World Cup races and in the Spring Classics. Having won a silver medal in Beijing, I would love to stand on the podium again in Rio, and I know Wiggle Honda will provide me with my best chance of doing exactly that.

Although I’ve signed a two-year deal with Wiggle Honda, next season will be my last racing at the top level of the sport. Following the Rio Olympics, I plan to take a step back personally. Wiggle Honda has offered me opportunities to stay involved with the team and with professional cycling both on and off the bike that fit with my ever-evolving long-term vision, and I’m grateful for that support in helping me transition from my career as an elite athlete into whatever comes next.

Wiggle Honda has had some fantastic results this year with 27 UCI wins coming from nine different riders. The team has won three World Cups – Ronde van Drenthe (Jolien d’Hoore), Ronde van Vlaanderen (Elisa Longo Borghini) and Chongming Island World Cup (Giorgia Bronzini) – and from the outside, it’s easy to see how much fun they’ve had as they chase those results. I’m genuinely excited to see what next season brings.

But for now – there’s still plenty of racing left, and I’m excited to make the most of my remaining time with my ORICA-AIS teammates who have become a little family of sorts.

EMMA