Team Jayco AlUla are set to be at the start of the 108th edition of the Giro d’Italia with an ambitious and combative team line-up. The squad will line-up in Albania with dual ambitions as they attack both the overall classification and stage success across the three weeks of racing.
Strong climber Chris Harper will lead the Australian outfit’s vision in the general classification, while the rest of the team look to take advantage of all the opportunities that the 21 stages will offer. Former Italian champion and winner of a stage in 2023, Filippo Zana will be looking for his own moment to shine alongside Australian time trial champion Luke Plapp, who recently won a stage at the Tour of Hellas and came very close to taking a stage victory in the 2024 edition.
Three younger riders will make their debuts at the Giro this season; Briton Paul Double, Italian rider Davide De Pretto and German rider Felix Engelhardt. The trio each bring different characteristics and strengths yet are all well suited to fast or uphill finishes.
The experienced Australian Michael Hepburn will be the team’s road captain as he takes to the start for his 10th appearance at the Italian Grand Tour, while the eighth and final rider will be Dutchman Koen Bouwman; a double stage winner and winner of the blue jersey for the best climber at the 2022 Giro d’Italia.
Team Jayco AlUla at the Giro d’Italia 2025:
Koen Bouwman (NED) 7th appearance
Davide De Pretto (ITA) Debut appearance
Paul Double (GBR) Debut appearance
Felix Engelhardt (GER) Debut appearance
Chris Harper (AUS) 2nd appearance
Michael Hepburn (AUS) 10th appearance
Lucas Plapp (AUS) 2nd appearance
Filippo Zana (ITA) 6th appearance
Brent Copeland (General Manager):
“It has always been a great thrill for us to announce the team that will race the Giro d’Italia. The Italian race is not only one of the main events on the international cycling calendar, but it is also an event which we feel particularly attached to from a sporting and emotional point of view. The ‘pink race’ always provides a mix of emotions and those who love this sport cannot help but love the Giro.
The selection of the riders for such an important race is never an easy task with it being such a prestigious race. However, our performance staff have put a lot of effort into selecting a team that they feel best fits for this year’s three-week race.
We will be at the start of the Grande Partenza in Albania with a team ready to do battle in every stage. The preparation for a Giro d’Italia began a long way back in winter and I am sure that our athletes are prepared to put on a great show every day. I expect a determined and aggressive team that will be able to performance well together with our sponsors, fans and all the staff that are part of the GreenEDGE family.”
Chris Harper:
“I’m very happy to be at the start of the 2025 edition of the Giro d’Italia. It will be my second participation in the event after my debut in 2020. I think I have reached a good level of preparation, and my intention is to gradually grow throughout the three weeks of the Giro and then really give it my all in the last week when the Alps will be very decisive. The route is, like always, very selective, and each stage can hide pitfalls. My goal is to do well in GC, and I am sure that with the team we have we can achieve a lot and the team will give me a lot of great help.”
David McPartland (Sport Director):
“We have a very strong group going to the Giro this year. It’s a race that is super important for us and where we had a lot of successes over the years. Chris Harper will be our leader for the GC, the goal with him is the top ten and we believe he’s capable achieving that. For the rest of the team, we have a really aggressive line-up with many guys who have a chance to win a stage.
The Giro has a spectacular start in Albania and then the route reflects the traditions with a really challenging second part of the race between the Dolomites and the Alps. Before we get there, we have two very important individual time trials with more than 42 km and the very interesting gravel stage in Tuscany, which is harder than last year and very important for anyone with GC ambitions.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
