Jayco-AlUla Prepares for Tour Down Under After National Setbacks

Jayco-AlUla faces a challenging path as it gears up for the Santos Tour Down Under, scheduled from January 20 to 25, 2024. Having previously been represented by the Australian road race champion’s green and gold jersey in recent years, the team finds itself without that emblem this time, with Patrick Eddy of Team Brennan claiming the title. Despite this setback, the only Australian WorldTour team enters the race with formidable competitors, including defending champion Luke Durbridge, three-time winner Luke Plapp, and Ben O’Connor.

The team’s recent experience at the National Championships raised concerns about its cohesion and performance. Durbridge’s solo effort was caught just 800 meters from the finish, while Plapp finished second to Eddy in a tense final sprint. In a pre-race media conference, O’Connor emphasized the importance of overcoming such hurdles. “Any company, team, business has its ups and downs, right, so you have to go with those mistakes or problems, work through it, speak,” he said.

O’Connor, who leads the squad into this critical race, acknowledged that communication and understanding each member’s role are vital. He stated, “This is probably our first, or second most important race on the calendar bar the Tour de France, so we have to make sure we get the job done.” The course this year favors climbers, offering a different challenge compared to previous editions.

The climbs in the Tour Down Under are more prominent this year, which could shake up the past dynamics where races were often decided by narrow margins. O’Connor noted, “That’s kind of the key change to this year’s race, that you can create a bigger gap, rather than relying just on bonus seconds.” The riders will need to navigate these climbs diligently, as the competition remains fierce with strong climbers expected to perform well.

O’Connor is joined by a talented team, including Plapp, Mauro Schmid, Durbridge, Rudy Porter, Hamish McKenzie, and Kelland O’Brien. This roster provides Jayco-AlUla with various options to contend for stage wins and the overall title. “Hopefully we can have almost the three of us playing around, fighting for stages or fighting, obviously, for the overall as well,” O’Connor remarked just ahead of the race’s prologue.

Winning is a priority for Jayco-AlUla, especially as they aim for a strong performance in their home WorldTour event. O’Connor, who joined the team at the start of last season, had previously focused on later-season goals, notably the Tour de France. This year, however, he is keen on both local racing and the Grand Tour.

“It is the biggest race of the year, so it’s always the number one that you want to aim for and just keep winning at again,” O’Connor stated. He has previously secured two stage wins and a fourth overall finish in the Tour de France, reflecting his competitive spirit. When asked about his aspirations for 2026, he expressed a preference for stage wins, saying, “I mean, that’s probably the most fun part of our racing at the Tour, winning stages.”

As the Jayco-AlUla team prepares for the Tour Down Under, they carry the weight of expectations and the resolve to overcome recent challenges. The dynamics of the race will undoubtedly test their teamwork and resilience as they strive for victory in this pivotal event.