Taylor comes home to Holden Women's Racing Team for 2018

After ten years racing on the international stage, more recently for the Italian-based Ale Cipollini, Adelaide born Carlee Taylor has returned home to Australia to build a media career and join the Holden Women's Racing Team.

Carlee Taylor closed out her international career with Ale Cipollini. Source: Supplied

“I announced a few months ago that I planned to leave the World Tour and while I was technically retiring from that arena, it was always the plan to come back to Australia and give back to the sport I love so much," Taylor said.

"My time in the World Tour has been really rewarding and I've had some great times and made lots of lifelong friends, but after many years overseas, I wanted to take the next steps in my life and I felt that it was a good time to come home.

"The opportunity to join the Holden Women’s Cycling Team came up and they clearly have a successful development program and I wanted to be a part of it. I want to be the best I can be and help other riders achieve their goals, too.

“For now, my focus is on preparing for the New Year; the national titles and especially the Tour Down Under which may be my last appearance in a World Tour race. Of course, the TDU is in my hometown, so I really want to do my absolute best and go out on a high."

For the Holden Women's Racing Team owner Julien Knuppel, adding the well-regarded South Australian to the team list for 2018 is a coup.

"Carlee is a wonderful addition to our ranks in almost every way," he said. "Her talent on the bike is beyond doubt, but she also brings a wealth of racing knowledge and we see her as being a mentor to our younger riders as well."