Isle of Man cycling star Lizzie Holden is returning to Drops Le Col for the 2022 season.

The 24-year-old has signed a contract to rejoin the British team after spending two years with Spanish outfit Bizkaia Durango.

Holden enjoyed a promising start to her first season with the latter, producing the best result of her career to date with an excellent second place on stage three of Setmana Cicliste Valenciana stage race early last year.

But the coronavirus pandemic severely disrupted her 2020 season, resulting in Lizzie living in lockdown in Girona for an extended period before competing in only a handful of other races for the rest of the campaign.

It proved to be a similar story this year with only a few races for the Tromode woman throughout the season, although she did earn a ride in the prestigious women’s Giro d’Italia in July.

Now though, Holden is set to return to the team where she enjoyed considerable success over a three-year period prior to her move to Spain.

The strong all-rounder, who can excel in multiple terrains, was crowned best young rider at Giro Toscana in 2019 and finished third in the British National Road Race Championships women’s road race in Norwich, on top of winning silver in the under-23s time trial.

Also on her palmares are several other excellent results at the likes of the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, the women’s Tour of Yorkshire and the Internationale Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour.

Speaking about her return to Drops, a delighted Lizzie said: ’After a difficult season, I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity to return to Drops in 2022.

’The confidence that [team manager] Tom [Varney] and Nico have in me to return to the level I had in 2019, where I had some of my career-best results, is something that really motivates me.

’The team balances a fun and family-like atmosphere with strong sporting ambitions which to me is the perfect environment to achieve success.

’I’m so excited to see what we can achieve together as a team in 2022 and I can’t wait to pull on the Drops jersey again. I have some amazing memories with Drops and I can’t wait to make more in 2022!’

christian siblings sign

Holden will link back up with fellow Manx star Anna Christian who recently signed a new contract at Drops to extend her stay with the British team to six years.

Anna, who played a starring role in the recent British National Road Race Championships in Lincoln, said: ’As always I’m really happy to be continuing my journey with Drops. The team has always held its energetic atmosphere and true Drops team spirit, which I love!

’This year particularly I feel that I’ve grown both on and, just as importantly, off the bike, and believe the team around me has played a huge part in that. I’m excited to keep working with a team.’

Those sentiments were echoed by team manager Varney who commented: ’Working with Anna is a joy, she’s a fun person to be around and has a positive influence on the group.

’She’s developed this year and we’re excited to continue working together. Her most recent showing in Giro Toscana was impressive and I’m sure there is more to come.’

Anna’s brother Mark has also put pen to paper on a new contract with his EOLO-Kometa team ahead of the 2022 campaign.

The 30-year-old enjoyed a busy season with the Spain-based team competing in a whole host of races across the Continent, including earning a place on the start line for May’s Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia.

Reacting to his new deal on social media, Mark commented: ’Massive thanks to everyone at @EoloKometaTeam for a great first year with the team! Already looking forward to the year ahead!

’Also want to say a big thanks to @iomsport for their continued support.’