Anna Christian: Manx teenager 'excited' to join Wiggle Honda team

Anna Christian is the first Manx woman to sign a professional cycling contract

Anna Christian has signed her first professional contract with the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team.

The 19-year-old impressed when representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games and Britain at the World Road Championships in Spain.

Christian said she was "proud and excited to have the opportunity to ride for such a high profile team".

A Wiggle spokesman said the Manx teenager was "one of the most exciting young talents in British cycling".

American Mara Abbot won the Giro d'Italia in both 2010 and 2013

Christian won the British Junior road race title in 2013 and last season rode for the Epic-Scott team, which is registered with British Cycling not the sport's world governing body, the UCI, and so is considered to have amateur status.

Also joining Wiggle Honda next year will be two-time US national champion and and Giro d'Italia winner Mara Abbot.

The 28-year-old from Colorado said she was "excited to ride a full season in Europe next year".

The team already features Olympic team pursuit gold medallist Dani King and Elisa Longo Borghini.

"I know the team's set up and environment is going to help me achieve my ambitions and dreams," said Christian.

"I'm already excited to get stuck into racing for the team in 2015."