Urška Žigart will depart from her tenure at Liv AlUla Jayco and start a brand new chapter of her skilled racing profession at AG Insurance coverage-Soudal starting in 2025. The Slovenian nationwide champion within the time trial and street race stated she hopes the change will result in her progress on the highest stage of the game, particularly throughout mountainous terrain.
“What attracted me to hitch AG Insurance coverage-Soudal was that I solely ever heard good issues in regards to the group, and after they reached out to me, I used to be instantly concerned with listening to what they needed to say. I used to be shortly drawn to their imaginative and prescient and the way they noticed me becoming into the group. It was clear that that they had a powerful concept of how I would slot in each as a rider and as an individual,” Žigart stated.
“Inside the group, I really feel like I’m nonetheless studying, despite the fact that I’ve fairly a little bit of expertise within the WorldTour peloton. This yr, nonetheless, I spotted that I’m not the youngest anymore. So, in that sense, I hope to go on some information to the youthful riders whereas additionally remaining open to studying from everybody. When it comes to racing, I’m fairly a flexible rider, however I actually excel in climbing. That’s the place I can supply sturdy help, and generally, I would even attempt to play a task within the finale.”
AG Insurance coverage-Soudal has constructed a multi-level programme that features under-19, under-23 and elite groups with a powerful improvement element to its graduating tiers, the place Žigart, now 27, goals to work carefully with the up-and-coming riders on the group.
Žigart has been racing professionally for the final ten seasons. She defined in a group press launch that rising up, round her extracurricular actions in music; and taking part in piano and guitar, she was lively in a number of sports activities; monitor and discipline, volleyball, and operating. She stated that she gained a love of biking after using her mom’s stationary bike earlier than later taking on street using and becoming a member of an area group.
She signed her first skilled contract with the Continental group BTC Metropolis Ljubljana in 2015 the place she developed throughout worldwide racing for the following six seasons till it folded as a WorldTour group in 2020. She then made the transfer over to BikeExchange, now Liv AlUla Jayco, the place she has supported her teammates on the highest stage throughout 4 seasons.
Though Žigart is a four-time nationwide champion within the time trial, she nonetheless goals to enhance on this self-discipline on the WorldTour. She hopes to progress within the mountainous terrain, whether or not that is one-day racing or stage racing, and work alongside Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio within the coming season. This yr, she completed twelfth total on the Giro d’Italia, ninth on the Tour de Suisse, fourth on the latest Giro dell’Emilia and received the time trial and street race titles on the Slovenian Championships.
“My private targets for the 2025 season are to proceed bettering in each facet, simply as I’ve previously few years, and to maintain this upward trajectory. I’ve proven that I could be near one of the best in arduous climbing races, so I actually need to discover that and see how far I can go when the chance arises,” Žigart stated.
“Primarily based on the conversations I’ve had, I feel I can develop right here in each method. I particularly need to enhance on hilly terrains and proceed engaged on my time trial abilities. Within the group, I can’t overlook the expertise of Ashleigh [Moolman-Pasio] in using GC in huge stage races. I hope to be taught from her as nicely and lend a serving to hand (or leg) every time I can.
“It’s been 4 years since my final group change, and I’ve to confess, I’ve grown very snug at Greenedge, and I actually felt at house there. It was arduous to consider altering as a result of change brings new folks, new relationships, new gear, and new challenges. However change may also convey progress, and from every part I’ve heard in regards to the group, I really feel calm, assured, and able to meet everybody quickly.”
