Australian time trial champion Grace Brown has re-signed with Mitchelton-Scott for 2020, it was announced today.

In her first season with the team, the 27-year-old quickly emerged as a force to be reckoned with, first winning the national TT title, followed four days later by a stage win at the Tour Down Under. She followed that up with strong performances at the spring European Classics and the summer OVO Energy Women's Tour and Giro Rosa.

"I'm pretty happy with this season, I have a year of experience racing in Europe and I'm very happy to continue next year," Brown said in a press release.

"I think I've really gotten to know the team and what we've done this year has given us a good foundation to set higher goals for 2020 and try to achieve them.

"Next year," Brown continued, "I want to focus more on the Belgian Classics, one or two races where I can get some personal results, and then as a domestique I can be part of the team's important goals. At Mitchelton-Scott, he is part of a stellar team that includes newly crowned road race world champion Annemiek van Fruten, three-time Tour Down Under winner Amanda Spratt, and Donostia San Sebastian Classicoa winner Lucy Kennedy

"Next year, of course, Anne-Mike will wear the world champion jersey. She's always been our top rider, so I think we'll race the same whether she's wearing the jersey or not."

"It will be interesting to see what happens next year with the new climbing contingent," she said of Sophie de Vuyst and Janneke Ensing, who joined from Parkhotel Valkenburg and WNT-Roter, respectively."

"I think the team dynamic will change and it will be really positive.

Sport Director Martin Vestby added. "Grace has proven she is strong enough to win races both in time trials and on the road with her stage win at the Tour Down Under. She has already proven her ability this year, but has suffered some unfortunate crashes this year."

Brown suffered a broken collarbone in a fall on the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island in China in May, and in late August she suffered a collapsed lung and four broken ribs in a fall at the Ladies Tour of Norway, which prevented her from participating in the world championships in Yorkshire last month.

"This was my first full season in Europe and of course a lot of new races and a lot of experience.

"She has grown a lot and learned a lot. I am confident that next year, with a more balanced race schedule and hopefully less bad luck, she will take a big step forward with all the experience she gained."