Team Jayco AlUla will head to the Tour de France Grand Depart in Barcelona with a core of Australian talent ready to do battle on all fronts.
The squad will have a distinct Aussie flavour with five riders from Down Under making up the eight-rider roster as GreenEDGE Cycling takes on its 15th ‘La Grande Boucle’, starting on July 4th.
Tour de France stage winners Michael Matthews and Ben O’Connor will lead the line-up, with the duo out to add to their win tally in Le Tour.
Team Jayco AlUla at the 2026 Tour de France:
Pascal Ackermann (GER) – 3rd appearance
Luke Durbridge (AUS) -12th appearance
Felix Engelhardt (GER) – Debut
Kelland O’Brien (AUS) – Debut
Ben O’Connor (AUS) – 5th appearance
Michael Matthews (AUS) – 9th appearance
Luke Plapp (AUS) – 2nd appearance
Mauro Schmid (SUI) – 2nd appearance
Australian Core
Former green jersey winner Matthews has four Tour de France stage wins to his name and the 35-year-old will be hungrier than ever in 2026 after missing last year’s edition through illness.
O’Connor triumphed on the queen stage in 2025, and the Western Australian has proven his pedigree in the biggest race on the calendar with two stage wins and a fourth place overall on his palmarès.
Giro d’Italia stage winner Luke Plapp will be hoping to add a Tour de France stage win to his resume, with the 25-year-old returning to the race after his debut last year.
Aggressive Riding
The ever-aggressive Mauro Schmid will look to continue his successful season and finally grab that elusive Tour stage victory that he narrowly missed on stage 11 last year.
The multiple Swiss champion has had an impressive first half to the year with three wins and the overall title at the Coppi e Bartali, as well as a host of podium performances. The 26-year-old will be back for more with his trademark attacking racing style in 2026.
Debutants
Alongside the experienced roster, the team names two Tour de France debutants in Olympic gold medallist Kell O’Brien and versatile German Felix Engelhardt. Both riders have Grand Tour experience with numerous starts at La Vuelta and the Giro between them, and this year the duo have earned themselves a spot on the Tour team.
Engelhardt has proven to be a rider for all terrains after a standout ride in the mountains at the recent Tour Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes, and the 25-year-old also packs a dangerous kick in reduced bunch finishes.
O’Brien will bring serious power to the squad, with the team pursuit gold medallist set to play a key role in the team time trial on the opening stage in Barcelona.
Experienced Campaigners
As well as boasting attacking options, sprinter Pascal Ackermann will give the team opportunities in the fast finishes. The German has five victories across seven Grand Tour starts and will lead the team in the bunch sprints.
Rounding out the team will be road captain Luke Durbridge, lining up for his 12th and final Tour de France. A key member of the ‘engine room’, the 35-year-old will be valuable in guiding his teammates through the three weeks of racing as well in the TTT on day one.
Michael Matthews:
“If you’d told me three months ago that I would be lining up for the Tour de France, I don’t think I would have believed you. I’ve worked really hard to get back in time for the Tour, together with the team and I’m really looking forward being back.
After missing last year with my illness and then with my crash earlier this year, it’s given me even more motivation and hunger. The Tour is the biggest race of the year and even though this will be my 9th time racing it, making the squad is always a big deal.
I think we have a really strong team and now I can’t wait to line up with the boys in Barcelona. Starting with a team time trial is a special way to start a Grand Tour, hopefully we can start well and build the momentum as we get deeper into the race.”
Mat Hayman (Sport Director):
“We have a very strong, well-rounded team for this Tour de France. We have Pascal there for the sprints and then a lot of rouleurs looking for stage opportunities, whether that’s in the medium or high mountains.
It’s pretty exciting to have a couple of riders who are starting their first Tour de France with Kell and Felix, it’s a massive step for them in their careers. Then on the other side you have Luke Durbridge who will be returning for his 12th Tour, a real stalwart of the team and someone we can always rely on.
There’s a strong Australian theme with Ben returning off a stage win last year. Michael Matthews has fought back from injury to be ready to take on the Tour, which has been really impressive. Then we have Plapp, who’s won a stage in the Giro and would love to add one in the Tour de France.
Rounding out the team we have Mauro Schmid, it’s yet to be seen whether he will be back in his Swiss champions colours or maybe he’s flying under the radar this year!”
Gene Bates (Head of Performance)
“We’re really excited about the team we have put together for the Tour de France this year. This line-up has riders capable of competing on every stage over the three weeks, from the flat sprint stages through to the high mountains.
t’s always a challenge to put together a team for the biggest race on the calendar, you have to make some big calls, but we believe between the performance team and the sport directors we have selected a truly competitive squad.
As an Australian team, having a strong Australian core amongst the eight riders is also something we are proud of as we line-up for our 15th Tour de France as an organisation.”
