Australian rider Sarah Gigante (Movistar) is looking forward to returning to racing in the European summer after an extended absence from competition following "some difficulties" during the 2022 season.

Last May, he scored his first win with the team at Emmaquemeen Nafaroako. But then concussion ended his race in Spain and he faced another shortened season, only making a brief return in August at the Postnord Volgorda and Tour of Scandinavia.

"After some difficulties during the 2022 season that forced me to end my schedule early at the Tour of Scandinavia, I have steadily regained my fitness in Australia and am looking to return later this season," Gigante said in a Movistar release.

The 22-year-old Gigante spent two years with Civco SVB before moving to Movistar early last year. His racing in Europe was limited by a variety of factors, ranging from the COVID-19 epidemic to broken bones to myocarditis (inflammation of the myocardium and sacs surrounding the heart).

Despite those twists and turns, the young rider made headlines in his home country by sweeping the under-19 Australian road race, time trial, and criterium titles in 2018, and in his first year as an under-23 rider in the Australian championships, he In her first year as an under-23 rider, she not only beat all the riders in her category, but also all the elite riders in the women's road race combined.

Gigante also proved herself in time trials over the next two years, winning national elite titles in time trials in 2020 and 2021. However, she has had to miss the last two seasons of racing in Australia, but is making the most of the mild fall weather in her home country to return to racing in Europe.

"All my training is going well and I am already in the endurance block which will last until the end of spring.

The Melbourne rider, who is also studying linguistics and geography, is under contract with Movistar until the end of 2024.

"I really appreciate the team for their patience and support, and I wish them all the best until I meet my teammates. I watch every race from start to finish."