08/06/2024

Team Jayco AlUla go for Ben O'Connor with Simon Yates set to leave according to latest reports

The decision of Simon Yates' future is one that has been contemplated for a long time within Team Jayco AlUla. According to the latest reports, the Aussie-based outfit have finally made their decision.

According to reports by Daniel Benson of GCN, Team Jayco AlUla have decided to part ways with the former Vuelta a Espana winning Brit, who has raced his whole career in the professional peloton to date with the team. What's more, Team Jayco AlUla have already reportedly secured the services of their Grand Tour general classification replacement in the form of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team's Ben O'Connor, who finished 4th at the most recent Giro d'Italia.

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Having brought in the likes of Caleb Ewan and Australian National Champion Luke Plapp in the most recent off-season, this signing of O'Connor, if it transpires, marks a continued effort by the team to assemble the best of the Australian talent. Whilst O'Connor doesn't have the Grand Tour winning pedigree of Simon Yates, a 4th placed finish at the 2021 Tour de France, alongside the aforementioned podium near miss at the most recent Giro d'Italia have proven the 28-year-old can compete with the very best over three weeks of racing.

Should the move go through, GCN reports that O'Connor will be able to expect team leadership at either the 2025 Giro d'Italia or the 2025 Tour de France, with the likes of Plapp, Ewan, Michael Matthews and Dylan Groenewegen also providing leadership options for the other Grand Tours of next year.

For Yates meanwhile, things are a little more unclear. The 31-year-old, who won the 2018 Vuelta a Espana and finished 4th at the 2023 Tour de France, has been linked with various teams such as Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Israel-Premier Tech and even the Tudor Pro Cycling Team although the likes of INEOS Grenadiers and the team of his brother, Adam Yates, UAE Team Emirates have both denied any interest. A developing story to keep an eye on, as teams inevitably begin searching for a new Grand Tour leader for next season.