Jay Vine to race Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, skips Tour Down Under: "That's why we decided that I won't go to Australia"

Jay Vine initially planned to race the Tour Down Under and defend his title. However, at the UAE Team Emirates camp the decision was made for him to skip the Australian block entirely as he is set to focus on the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

“I'm doing the Giro-Vuelta double again and if I do indeed contest the Vuelta, I'll be busy well into September," Vine told Cyclingnews. "That's why we decided that I won't go to Australia at all. So I will skip the national road championship, the national time trial championship and the Tour Down Under.” As Tadej Pogacar was revealed to be leading the team at the Giro, the UAE team has the need to have their block in form and it's decided that this schedule is not suited.

Hence, the time-trial national champion and defending champion will not come back. “You have Willunga and Lofty, but Lofty is a lot easier this year. I would have to be in very good shape in January to be able to force something there." The sacrifice would not be worthy for the 28-year old, who would need great form in January, and then travel, rest and build back up once again with a tricky calendar. 

"Moreover, I was not able to ride any race for the Giro d'Italia last year, I went straight into it after an injury. Now I want to race in Europe in advance, so we have decided that it is not possible," he admits. Hence, it is not know yet now where his season debut will be.