Armitstead signs new deal at Boels-Dolmans

Armitstead, who is the current world road race champion after triumphing in Richmond in 2015, inked a deal which ensures she will be at Boels-Dolmans through the 2018 season.

Team manager Danny Stam has also signed through to the end of 2018, by which time the duo will have been at the team for five years.

Since winning the World Championship, Armitstead has found sustained success – already triumphing at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, Trofeo Alfredo Binda and the Tour of Flanders in 2016.

And the 27-year-old is ecstatic to be able to continue to grow alongside the Boels-Dolmans squad.

"Over the past few years the team has gone through a development which has brought us collectively to a high level of cycling," said Armitstead.

"We always approach each race to win as a team and often only need a look or a sign to know what is about to happen.

"I have achieved my greatest sports successes in this environment and look forward to continuing my career here.

"We have a solid and professional organisation standing behind us, which enables us to maintain our current high level of performance."

Sportsbeat 2016