Dylan Groenewegen and Chris Harper will lead a two-pronged approach for Team Jayco AlUla at the UAE Tour, which starts 17th February.
Harper arrives at the seven-day race hot off the heals of a strong Australian summer and a recent top-10 performance at the Tour of Oman. Meanwhile, Groenewegen kick-started his 2025 season with a brace of podium stage placings at the AlUla Tour.
Supporting Groenewegen as he targets stage victories will be three of his trusty leadout men in Luka Mezgec, Elmar Reinders, and Max Walscheid.
Australian champion Luke Durbridge will be showing off the green and gold in the UAE desert, providing firepower in the engine room of the squad. Neo-pro Bob Donaldson rounds out the line-up after making his Team Jayco AlUla debut at the start of February.
The 2025 UAE Tour follows a familiar format, mixing tough summit finishes with rapid sprint finales. The overall classification will come down to the traditional mountain contest on Jebel Hafeet.
Team Jayco AlUla
Bob Donaldson (GBR)
Luke Durbridge (AUS)
Dylan Groenewegen (NED)
Chris Harper (AUS)
Luka Mezgec (SLO)
Elmar Reinders (NED)
Max Walscheid (GER)
Dylan Groenewegen
“I am feeling in good form for the UAE Tour, and I have a strong team around me for the sprints. I was really close to the win two times at the AlUla Tour, and we can carry that momentum into this race. I know how it is to win at the UAE Tour and would like to add another victory this year.”
David McPartland (Sport Director)
“We have a strong team heading to UAE. We have our sprinter in Groenewegen and his lead out train all coming here for what are likely to be 4 sprints. On the GC side of things, we have Chris Harper to get us a result with the two mountain top finishes featuring mid-week and on the last stage. The ITT will also be crucial for GC.
Our goal with Dylan is obviously to get a stage win. Walscheid, Mezgec, Reinders are all here with the task to deliver him to be able to sprint for the win. Durbridge and our new neo-pro Donaldson will be support across both fronts. The wind can tear this race apart. Some years it happens and some years it doesn’t. Who knows what this year’s race will bring but we will be prepared.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
