Team Jayco AlUla sign Australian national champion Luke Plapp - "It honestly does feel like I’m coming home"

Luke Plapp has been finding his place in the peloton but whilst he does, he has also made a move which may earn him more leadership. The Australian national champion joins the country's top team: Team Jayco AlUla.

“It honestly does feel like I’m coming home, I’m such a proud Australian and to now be able to ride for the Australian team, it’s a real honour," Plapp said in a press release. "I just can’t wait to get started; the next four years are going to be amazing on this team. I can’t thank Gerry Ryan and the team enough for this opportunity. Gerry has done so much for Australian cycling and to now be on his team and to be able to ride for him, it makes me really proud and super grateful. I can’t wait to achieve great things together. It is such a great group of guys and I know so many of them already so I’m really looking forward to kicking things off well in my first race with the team.”

A four-year contract is the proof the of commitment between both parties in a transfer that comes late into the winter. Plapp signed with INEOS Grenadiers back in 2022 as a known track specialist and quality climber. An interesting mix. He's had difficulties achieving consistent results, but when he had good form he impressed. In his palmarès are two consecutive victories at the nationals and among other results, a second place behind Remco Evenepoel at the UAE Tour earlier this year.

“There’s no mistaking that Luke has incredible talent, so for us to be welcoming him to our team with a four-year contract is very exciting for everybody involved," team manager Brent Copeland added. "We have to thank Gerry Ryan for his commitment to making this signing a reality, as well as our partners AlUla and Giant for their support. Luke is still a very young rider; we are motivated to work with him and have him grow with us as a team into the future."

The team hence boosts it's capabilities into the stage-races for the future. Simon Yates remains the main figure when it comes to this field, but the likes of Eddie Dunbar and Plapp will be capable of fighting for secondary results throughout the year.

"With our strengthened climbing group for the coming season, Luke will have a good support team around him, and we are looking forward to seeing him challenge for general classification success and continue to aim for top results in time trials. As an Australian team, we are already very much looking forward to the national championships in January and seeing if he can defend his road race title for a third year running.”