Jayco AlUla thread

[Orange Agent]

Ok, good to know about Scotson.


Anyone know if we will see more of Hatherley this year?
Only had 39 race days last year.
Was promising to start the year.

Hes world champion in XC mtb and think they would have discussed this when signing him that mtb likely stays his main goal. This issue is the calenders tend to clash in the middle of the season.

 

[eth-dog]

Hes world champion in XC mtb and think they would have discussed this when signing him that mtb likely stays his main goal. This issue is the calenders tend to clash in the middle of the season.

In the transfers it quietly says that he's "in" from his XC team. Makes me wonder if he's now committing to road.

 

[eth-dog]

Apparently signing Dries De Pooter from Intermarche Wanty, 23 years old. Had a first and second at the Tour de Kyushu in Japan and finished 7th overall. Getting a few Belgians on the roster for the first time since Jens Keukeleire in 2015, the only other Belgian to represent the organisation

Suspect that we're gonna sit on 28 and see what else shakes out from that merger and the Arkea fold. Guys like Senechal, Venturini, Rota, Lazkano are still without a contract due to folds, mergers or in the latter's case no room left at RBH.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I wasn't familiar with Finlay Pickering. 22 year old climber who has come over from Bahrain.
He looks pretty promising though.

2025.
3 x top 10 finishes in the Vuelta including a major mountain top finish from the peloton.
Won the KOM in Tour of the Alps
Finished 13th in the Tour De Suisse GC

Be interesting to see whether he can take his career to the next level.

 

[eth-dog]

I wonder how many of our 7 Aussies will do the Nats and then one or both of the TDU and CEGORR. I doubt Bling does it this year but if he's slowing down next year he might. So:

Nats (expect all to do both RR and ITT): Durbridge, Plapp, O'Connor, Porter, McKenzie, O'Brien
TDU: O'Connor, Plapp, Durbridge, McKenzie, O'Brien, Schmid, Capiot
SCC/CEGORR: Schmid, Plapp, Durbridge, McKenzie, O'Brien, Porter, Capiot

Capiot is capable in a sprint finish for both races and is a one day specialist, but zero issues if we use De Pooter or Krijnsen instead. Bling would be well suited to all the parcourse's if he were to come out though.

 

[yaco55]

The TDU team is Porter,O'connor, Plapp, Durbridge, Mckenzie, O'Brien and Schmid. A couple of disappointed Europeans wanted to do the race.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

The TDU team is Porter,O'connor, Plapp, Durbridge, Mckenzie, O'Brien and Schmid. A couple of disappointed Europeans wanted to do the race.

It must be hard finding the balance of
1. Results
2. Keep all riders happy
3. Keep sponsors/owners with specific vested interests happy.
4. Develop youngsters in the team.

Biggest race of Mackenzies career.
You’d think that some others on the team would have been in a better position to win a stage on a hilly course. Foldager? Capiot as mentioned.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Interesting that there is zero news about AlUla tour despite race 6 weeks away. On the race website they’ve just got highlights of last year.

Been upgraded to a 2.pro race so more points on offer this year. I imagine the sponsors would have been disappointed by last years results. Hopefully can find a win somewhere in there.