With the Giro d'Italia having been Ben O'Connor's chosen GC tilt this season, Jayco. AlUla have made no secret that the Tour de France will be all about those stage wins, and the squad they have just announced couldn't make that any clearer.
Along with O'Connor, who last year clinched his second victory at the July Grand Tour by taking the Queen stage, they will be lining up with another former multiple stage winner at the race, Michael Matthews, who has recently returned to racing after a training crash in March where he broke both wrists and also had a sinus fracture to deal with.
“If you’d told me three months ago that I would be lining up for the Tour de France, I don’t think I would have believed you," said Matthews, who will be lining up for his ninth edition, in a team statement.
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"After missing last year with my illness and then with my crash earlier this year, it’s given me even more motivation and hunger."
The rider with a fast finish but ability to hang on through the punchy climbs will not be the only rider on the squad chasing wins on the days that don't lean to the pure climbers, with Mauro Schmid – who came second last year on a lumpy stage 11 – looking for the step up this time.
Then, for the sprints there is Pascal Ackermann, who has claimed three stages at the Giro d'Italia and the ciclamino jersey but has yet to step up from the lower steps of the podium at the Tour de France.
Then, when it comes to the climb-heavy days. alongside O'Connor the team has Luke Plapp, who last year managed to score a victory at the Giro d'Italia, plus he is always one to keep an eye on in a time trial, proving that with his fifth place last year in the race against the clock to Peyragudes.
Then there is Felix Engelhardt who will be making his Tour de France debut alongside Team Pursuit Olympic gold medallist Kell O'Brien. He'll be adding power to the team, as will the ever steady road captain Luke Durbridge, who will be racing a last Tour de France given his looming retirement at the end of this season.
“We’re really excited about the team we have put together for the Tour de France this year," head of performance Gene Bates said. "This line-up has riders capable of competing on every stage over the three weeks, from the flat sprint stages through to the high mountains."
Jayco AlUla for the 2026 Tour de France
- Michael Matthews
- Luke Plapp
- Pascal Ackermann
- Ben O'Connor
- Mauro Schmid
- Kell O'Brien
- Felix Engelhardt
- Luke Durbridge
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