The Victorian renewing with the WorldTour squad after securing a contract through Zwift was far from a guarantee, with last year’s Zwift Academy winner, fellow Aussie Jessica Pratt not offered a new deal with the German-based squad for 2021.
“I know this career is what I want to do. I’m as sure as the day I decided I wanted to be a professional cyclist that I want to continue with the team,” said Bradbury.
“CANYON//SRAM Racing and the Zwift Academy gave me the opportunity to become a pro cyclist and I’m very excited to have my contract extended for 2022. The team is so well supported by its many partners, and this support in turn assists in my development as a rider. My teammates have been welcoming, and most are very experienced riders in the peloton. I’m keen to continue to learn as much from them as I can.”
Bradbury was one of the most progressive talents on the Australian domestic scene before winning the spot on the WorldTour squad and she has progressed in her time at the top level of the sport, even though that hasn’t always been easy.
“On the positive side, I’ve been able to race with, and learn from, some very inspiring people all around the world,” said Bradbury. “On the other hand, living away from my family and friends back in Australia for most of the year, and not knowing whether I’d be able to return home due to the pandemic travel restrictions has been difficult. I had three crashes in three consecutive races which meant I lost my confidence and I had to work hard to regain it.”
The 19-year-old’s best result came in the Australian National Road Championships, where she was sixth in the elite race to claim second in the Under 23 category. The climber wasn’t called upon to race for top results within a team brimming with WorldTour talent, and recognises that there are things for her to work on next season as she continues to develop.
“My first year racing at this level has been a steep learning curve,” said Bradbury. “There are many things I can work on moving forward into 2022 such as being assertive in the bunch, my raw strength and sprint power, and utilising my energy more efficiently. I feel fortunate I have the opportunity to do that at CANYON//SRAM Racing.”
Bradbury was able to return home to Melbourne and is currently busy training and preparing for the upcoming season.
“The Australian road national championships in January aren’t a specific goal because they’re so soon after my off-season, but I would still love a good result there,” said Bradbury. “I hope to be selected for Australia to race the UCI Esports World Championships on Zwift in February.
“After these two, my main priority for the season is to race consistently well, with the goal of being selected in the team’s roster for either the Giro d’Italia, or the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The Giro, with its mountains, is a race I’ve always wanted to do, and being a part of the women’s Tour de France avec Zwift would be a dream come true! I’m excited about the racing possibilities in 2022!”
CANYON-SRAM Racing’s fifteenth and final rider in its 2022 roster will be announced later this month following the 2021 Zwift Academy finals held in Spain. That could see another Australian elevated to race alongside Bradbury, with Imogen Alton and Rachael Wales in the running in the finals.
