GreenEDGE Cycling is thrilled to confirm the contract extensions of three female riders that will make the transition from Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team into the WorldTeam for 2026.
Following their promising development over the past two seasons with the organisation’s development team, Australia’s Mackenzie Coupland, Dutch rider Noä Jansen and Italian rider Matilde Vitillo will make the step up into the elite WorldTour peloton with Liv AlUla Jayco, on new two-year contracts beginning in January 2026.
The promising trio have each stood out this season, displaying their great individual talent, determination and progress, with a notable highlight in June being Vitillo’s stunning elite victory at the Giro dell Appennino Donne.
Over the past two seasons, the riders have enjoyed various opportunities to race up with the WorldTeam to get a taste for the environment and begin to build relationships with their future teammates, ensuring a smooth transition in 2026.
Mackenzie Coupland – (19)
“Transitioning to the WorldTeam is an exciting opportunity for me, and it represents a significant milestone in my journey as an athlete. Over the past two seasons on the Continental Team I’ve gained so many new skills. The experience has been invaluable. From jumping into elite racing as someone from a smaller city in Australia and with not as much international racing experience, I’d say the progression over the past two years with the Conti team in Europe has been very positive. I’m eager to take on the challenges of the WorldTour and showcase my development, and I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learnt into the upcoming season.”
Noä Jansen – (24)
“I am mega excited to race in the WorldTeam next year. Recently, I’ve already been with the WorldTeam a few times, so I know somewhat what it’s like. But of course, I am very curious about what it means to race and perform at that level for a whole season. The step up means a lot to me; it’s something I always dreamed of as a child. I am extremely grateful to the Continental Team for all the opportunities and the excellent mentoring. I have become a much more complete rider. Before, cycling was my sport; now cycling is my life. That professional attitude has been instilled in me the past two seasons.”
Matilde Vitillo (24)
“The step up to the WorldTeam means a lot to me. This was everything I ever dreamed of, and to be able to achieve this with this team and these amazing people around me is truly the best thing I could ever have wished for. I am convinced that I needed the first two years with the Continental Team to get to know myself better and to discover my strengths and weaknesses. I have started to approach racing in a different way and now have a completely different view on things that determine performance. This is partly because I have started working with all kinds of specialists from the team. They have contributed to enabling me to take this step now. With those who have always believed in me, I want to progress even more next year.”
Thanks to the hard work of the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team set-up, the sometimes-daunting gap from Continental level racing to the WorldTour has been reduced, with the riders taking time to first mature and develop their skills on and off the bike. Thanks to Liv Cycling, the trio has also had the pleasure of getting comfortable with the same equipment as the elite riders, from racing kit to bikes and performance supplies.
Liv AlUla Jayco performance staff are now excited to welcome the young talents on-board full time to continue the work to unleash their full potential and see what they can achieve on the world stage.
Gene Bates – Liv AlUla Jayco General Manager
“We’re very excited to have these three riders join the WorldTeam for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, they’ve developed really well within our Women’s Continental Team over the past two years and particularly this year we’re seeing some big step ups. This is not only in their physical abilities but also their general capabilities in races and their race strategy, which is great. That’s the purpose of the of the Continental Team and the pathway, we want to continue develop younger riders, give them the opportunity to grow and see them move into the WorldTeam.”
Rider info:
Mackenzie Coupland
Australia, 19
Best result 2025: 6th Australian TT champs
Noä Jansen
Netherlands, 24
Best result 2025: 4th La Classique Morbihan (1.1)
Matilde Vitillo
Italy, 24
Best result 2025: 1st Giro dell Appennino Donne (1.2)
Photo: Sprint Cycling
