“I’d be happy to go to the Tour with these legs”: Luke Plapp confident for July after his most consistent season yet

Luke Plapp’s 2026 campaign has marked an important step forward in his development as a stage-race rider. The Australian started the season with the goal of becoming more competitive in general classifications and has delivered a series of strong results to back up those ambitions. Although illness eventually forced him out of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Plapp left the race encouraged by both his form and the progress he has made ahead of the Tour de France.

When speaking during the French stage race, Plapp was in a notably upbeat mood. Asked how he was feeling, the Team Jayco AlUla rider immediately responded with a smile. “I’m actually really happy. The consistency has really been there and it’s been a really nice start to the year,” he explained.

The reason was easy to understand. After deciding to place greater emphasis on general classification racing this season, Plapp has enjoyed the most consistent period of his professional career. He finished third overall at the UAE Tour, fifth at the Tour de Romandie and third at the Tour of Hungary, results that confirmed his growing ability to perform across week-long stage races.

The Australian described a season that gradually built momentum after a quieter opening period. “It started with a bit of a break, and then the programme got busier and busier. I’ve done quite a few races building up to the Tour. So I’m really happy. It’s been a nice year. If you had offered me this at the start of the season, I would have signed for it.”

With the Tour de France approaching, Plapp believes there is little left to improve physically before the Grand Départ. “I think I’m already pretty close,” he said when asked about his condition. “I wouldn’t change anything about where I’m at right now.”

He expects the final weeks before the Tour to be focused on fine-tuning. “I think it’s just the last few touches now and preparing to race. I’m really happy with where things are. I’d be happy to go to the Tour with these legs.”

His preparation was unfortunately interrupted by illness during the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but his plans for the weeks leading into the Tour had already been mapped out. “I’m going home for two weeks. Resting and doing nothing,” he said. “It’s been a busy period, with altitude camps and more than a week of racing here. I’m happy to spend two weeks at home with my girlfriend and relax before I see these guys again for another month.”

Despite his encouraging performances in stage races this season, Plapp was clear when asked whether he would target the general classification at the Tour de France. “No, no. I’m going there for stages,” he replied firmly.

Instead, the Australian sees the Vuelta a España as the race where he would like to test himself as a genuine GC contender. “I’d like to try riding for the general classification at the Vuelta. The Tour will be about chasing stage wins with the guys.”

That approach also reflects the likely strategy of the Jayco AlUla team, which is expected to arrive in France without a GC leader. “I think that’s the type of team we’ll take there,” Plapp said. “We’ll really go for stages and race aggressively and have fun. I think that’s a nice way to race. Every day you have that kind of motivation. And then, if I’m feeling good, I’ll go to the Vuelta for the general classification.”