Australian champion Mackenzie Coupland will make her Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift debut as Liv AlUla Jayco select a well-balanced squad aiming to fight for stage victories.
Last year saw the Australian squad flying high by claiming its first Tour de France Femmes stage win on stage two. With riders capable of taking on sprints, climbs, and breakaway days, the team believes it once again has a line-up capable of competing at the front.
Coupland will be making her Grand Tour debut at the race, after an impressive first season at WorldTour level. The 20-year-old took the national title on her second race day with Liv AlUla Jayco in January and has more recently shown her strong form with a podium finish at the one-day La Périgord Ladies.
Fellow Aussie, and former national champ, Ruby Roseman-Gannon is set to make her fourth appearance at Le Tour, providing the team with options in the reduced bunch sprints and rolling stages.
Mackenzie Coupland
“To be part of the biggest race of the year is something I didn’t see myself doing this year. It also being my first Grand Tour gives me a mix of excitement and nervousness, and I can’t wait to race with such a supportive and motivated group of people. Being able to wear the Australian national champion jersey feels really special to me, and it shows off the teamwork and determination we have in this team. It’s a dream come true to represent my country at such a prestigious level. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere of the Tour de France Femmes as it always looks so electric on the TV.”
Mountain power and more
The extended nine-day race will be punctuated by several tough mountain days, and team has selected a core of strong climbers for the occasion, headlined by Monica Trinca Colonel.
After an impressive debut WorldTour season last year, the Italian has continued to impress at the highest level – finishing seventh at the Vuelta a España Femenina earlier this season.
Silke Smulders, and recently crowned Canadian national time trial champion, Nadia Gontova have proven their talent at the highest level and will add to the team’s mountain strength.
Together with Roseman-Gannon, Letizia Paternoster will be aiming for results on the sprint stages and rolling days. The 27-year-old scored an impressive four top-10 finishes, including two podium finishes, at the Vuelta in May and will look to improve on that in France.
Rounding out the squad will be veteran road captain Jeanne Korevaar, who will help guide the team through the sometimes-chaotic race. Like her compatriot Smulders, Korevaar has ridden every edition of the Tour de France Femmes and her experience will be invaluable.
Liv AlUla Jayco for the Tour de France Femmes
Mackenzie Coupland (AUS) – Debut
Nadia Gontova (CAN) – 2nd appearance
Jeanne Korevaar (NED) – 5th appearance
Letizia Paternoster (ITA) – 2nd appearance
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS) – 4th appearance
Silke Smulders (NED) – 5th appearance
Monica Trinca Colonel (ITA) – 2nd appearance
Wim Stroetinga (Head Sport Director)
“We head into the Tour de France Femmes with confidence. The riders have had a strong preparation, and as a team, we are determined to make the most of every opportunity. We will take the race day by day and identify the stages where we can fight for victory. With this strong line-up, we have multiple options, both in the flatter stages and in the tougher climbing stages.
Across the team, we have riders who are capable of getting into breakaways and competing for stage wins from those situations. We have already highlighted several stages as key opportunities and will do everything possible to maximize our chances there. In some stages, we will naturally be dependent on how the race unfolds, but we have prepared different scenarios to ensure we can make the most of every situation. The riders have worked incredibly hard throughout the season and deserve a strong result. We have full confidence in their abilities and believe that, with the preparation and commitment they have shown, we can achieve the results we are aiming for.”
Top Photo: Sprint Cycling
