OFFICIAL: One of Britain’s brightest climbing prospects signs for Team Jayco AlUla after breakthrough 2025 season

Team Jayco AlUla have confirmed the arrival of highly rated British climber Finlay Pickering, securing the 22-year-old from Bahrain - Victorious on a two-year contract that will see him race with the Australian WorldTour squad through to the end of 2027.

The move follows a season that showcased his growing pedigree, including winning the mountains classification at the Tour of the Alps and completing his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a Espana.

Pickering arrives after two formative seasons inside the WorldTour system, and Team Jayco AlUla management believe he can make another step with the environment, structure and climbing group they already have in place.

Speaking after the announcement, Pickering expressed his enthusiasm for the move and the team culture he is joining.

“I really look forward to riding with new teammates and working with well-respected staff. I am also very excited to swing my leg over a Giant again! I’ve learned a lot about being in the WorldTour over the last two years, and now moving to Team Jayco AlUla, I can hopefully develop into being an even better bike rider,” said the Brit in a press release on his team's official website.

Team Jayco AlUla Sporting Manager Gene Bates highlighted both the potential and suitability of the British climber, noting his performance trajectory as well as his ability to support team ambitions in mountainous terrain.

“We have been following Finlay’s progression as a rider keenly, and it is fantastic to have him joining the team next season. In his two years at WorldTour level, he has already shown himself to be a very promising climber. His performance at the Tour of the Alps showed his strengths in the mountains and we believe he can fit in well with our climbing group, where he can provide valuable support to the team’s leaders as well as developing himself as a rider.” Bates told the team in a recent statement.

Pickering first announced himself by winning the overall title at Tour Alsace in 2022, and has since added notable mountain classification victories at both Alpes Isere Tour (2023) and Tour of the Alps (2025). His Grand Tour debut in Spain, earned via a last-minute call-up, further added to the belief that he is building towards long-term stage-racing capability.

The move now places him inside a structure known for nurturing young climbers, while also offering opportunities as part of an established support unit for general classification leaders over the next two seasons.

Team Jayco AlUla will introduce him into their 2026 roster, where he is expected to continue refining his climbing engine, racing craft and stage-race endurance.