Italian breakaway hero Alessandro De Marchi, Australian powerhouse Luke Durbridge and Slovenian lead-out man Luka Mezgec are set to stay at Team Jayco AlUla after signing new contracts, seeing them through to the end of 2025 (De Marchi) and 2026 (Durbridge & Mezgec)
De Marchi, one of the oldest, most experienced riders in the team will see his new contract take him to three years with the squad having joined back in January 2023.
Durbridge’s new contract will take the rider from Perth’s time with the GreenEDGE Cycling family to an incredible 15 years, as one of the remaining original team members having joined the set up back in 2012 – the squad’s inaugural season.
Mezgec, who joined the team in 2016, will see his new contract take him through to 10 years with the Slovenian having established his role as an important part of the sprint group.
Daring De Marchi
With a wealth of experienced under his belt after racing as a professional for 12 years at the highest level, ‘Dema’ knows how to read a race. Often seen in successful breakaways, the 38-year-old is not afraid of putting it all on the line for himself in a daring breakaway or selflessly pushing his boundaries to help his teammates.
“I am happy to stay and continue this story because I feel that I am valued as a cyclist and as a person in this group. I know that my qualities are appreciated and considered useful to the team, outside and inside the races. The chapter that started here in 2022 is a sort of new chapter and is progressing in a positive way for me.
I’m aware that athletically you can’t hide your age, but I feel like I have the soul and mind of a boy, I still always dream a perfect breakaway and a victory. I also know, however, that the team needs me as an expert athlete, gregarious and ready to support our leaders. I would be happy to continue in 2025 on this double track.”
Alessandro De Marchi
Age: 38
Nationality: Italian
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2023
New Contract: 2025
Top Results:
1st Tre Valli Varesine (2021)
1st Giro dell’Emilia (2018)
1st Criterium du Dauphine Stage (2013)
1st 3x Vuelta a España Stages (2018, 2015, 2014)
2nd 2x Giro d’Italia Stages (2021, 2012)
3rd Giro d’Italia Stage (2012)
3rd 3x Vuelta a España Stages (2018, 2015, 2014)
Durbridge delivers
Often found on the front of the peloton, Durbridge has made a reputation of sacrificing himself for his teammates, a loyal and trusted support rider that delivers time and time again. This year Durbridge made it to double-figure Tour de France appearances, proving the Australian’s worth on the biggest stage by assisting the team’s leaders over three weeks and across varied terrains.
“I am really excited to continue the journey with the team since turning professional 13 years ago – time flies when you’re having fun! I couldn’t imagine going to another team, it is part of my family being here for so long. The team is constantly evolving but I feel like I am evolving as a rider as well. I have to thank Gerry Ryan, Brent Copeland and Matt White for continuing to have faith in me.
It was great this year, getting a win with Dylan at the TDF. I want to continue in this role, working with our leaders. We have some really great exciting prospects coming through, and with my experience I hope help these guys develop, the likes of Ben O’Connor. Also riders we have now with big futures ahead of them such as Luke Plapp, Chris Harper and our other younger non-Australian riders too like Foldager, De Pretto, Engelhardt who have all taken wins this season in their early 20s.
Next year the nationals are in Perth, my home city, so I really want to go for that and hopefully I can continue to grow. I think there’s some results left to go and I am definitely not too old. As I said, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else. It has been a great journey so far.”
Luke Durbridge
Date of Birth: 9th April 1991
Nationality: Australian
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2012
New Contract: 2025 & 2026
Top Results:
4x 1st Australian time trial championships (2012, 13, 19, 20)
1st Criterium du Dauphine stage (2012)
2nd Driedaagse De Panne Overall (2014)
2nd Giro d’Italia stage (2015)
4th Dwaars Door Vlaanderen (2017)
Mezgec making space
When you turn on the TV for a Tour de France bunch sprint finish, 36-year-old Mezgec can often be seen driving towards the front of the peloton with sprinter Dylan Groenewegen tight on his wheel. Mezgec has had the pleasure of working closely with the team’s lead sprinter over the past seasons, delivering the Dutchman to two TDF stage wins amongst many other sprint finishes.
“Joining this team 9 years ago felt like getting my second family straight away. There are great people in the organisation, and they made sure I was developing as rider but also as a person. So, to continue this journey for two more years feels like privileged to me.
I am excited to closely work with a Dylan for sprints but also to share my experience with new upcoming talents. For 2025/2026 I hope I can contribute to some more wins of the team. I am looking forward to enjoying the process in order to get myself in top shape for the season’s biggest goals.”
Brent Copeland – General Manager
“Durbridge has developed into one of the more experienced riders on the team, having been in the team from the start in 2012. Himself and De Marchi know the organisation very well and have developed into their roles as very well trusted domestiques. Durbridge’s 10th appearance this year at the Tour de France is testament to his loyalty to the team and as a team player and we are pleased to keep him and De Marchi onboard.
We’re very happy to see that Mezgec will continue with us for two more seasons. He is an important member of the team’s sprint train and has been a valuable teammate in assisting Dylan Groenewegen to multiple sprint wins. With a lot of knowledge and experience, Mezgec is rider that our younger generation can learn from and be guided by.”
Luka Mezgec
Date of Birth: 27th June 1988
Nationality: Slovenia
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2016
New Contract: 2025 & 2026
Top Results:
1st Giro d’Italia stage win (2014)
1st 3x Volta Catalunya stage win (2014)
2x 1st Tour of Slovenia Stage (2017 & 19)
2x 1st Tour of Poland Stage (2019)
2x 2nd Tour de France Stage (2020)
2nd Bretagne Classic Ouest-France
