Liv AlUla Jayco are eager to start the 2026 season on a high as the Australian squad names a strong line-up for their ‘home race’, the Santos Tour Down Under.
2025 runner-up Silke Smulders will return to Adelaide aiming for even more in January with the punchy Dutch rider looking to build on a standout second season with the Aussie team.
A strong Australian group will make up the core of the team with former national champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon, criterium champion Amber Pate, Tour of Guangxi stage winner Josie Talbot, plus neo-pro Mackenzie Coupland, who will make the step up from the development team in 2026.
New Zealander Ella Wyllie will round out the stacked squad with the former Kiwi champion looking to improve on her top-10 finish overall in 2024.
Silke Smulders:
“It was first of all so cool to visit Australia this year. Exploring the country, seeing all these new animals and the nature parks. The other girls could show me around and I could really have a sense of the Australian culture. I think it is super cool to be riding for an Australian team and to actually know what the country is like and what it feels like. I had an amazing time on and off the bike.
For me, Tour Down Under felt like a bit of a breakthrough and it gave me a big confidence boost to finish second and being so close to a GC victory. I remember it was also just such a special emotional feeling that the girls gave everything to support me and that gave me something extra for sure.
This gives me a lot of motivation to try to do well again next year because I was so close. On the other hand, this year felt like a bit of a surprise and now I do feel more pressure to do well again for the team because it is our home race. But we have such a strong team of riders and many options to play and I am convinced that we will have this special feeling of going all in together because it is our race. That will give us that little extra.”
Jess Allen (Sport Director):
“We’re excited to kick-off the 2026 season at the Tour Down Under. As the only Australian professional team, it’s always an incredibly proud moment to begin the WorldTour season on home soil in GreenEDGE colours.
Following a successful Tour Down Under in 2025, Silke Smulders returns once again, motivated and eager to fight for victory. She’ll be joined by our New Zealand climber Ella Wyllie, who enjoyed a strong season and is ready to start the year with real momentum.
Mackenzie Coupland will step up from development team in 2026 and will make her WorldTour debut on home soil — an exciting milestone in her career. This year’s Women’s Tour Down Under is set to be the toughest edition yet, and the team is rounded out by Australians Josie Talbot, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, and Amber Pate, ensuring a strong and dynamic line-up.”
2026 Tour Down Under – Race Details:
Sat, 17th Jan – Mon, 19th Jan (3 Stages) Adelaide
