Latest news with #TeamJaycoAlUla
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Tour de France 2025: Full preview of 10 Australian riders including Ben O'Connor's GC bid
Ten Australians will be on the start line when the Tour de France starts this Saturday in Lille in northern France. Australian-owned Team Jayco AlUla have three Aussies in the mix this year – Ben O'Connor, Luke Plapp and Luke Durbridge. O'Connor notably has top-five general classification ambitions in his first Tour with his new team. He finished 4th in the Tour in 2021 for AG2R and then had a stellar season last year finishing 4th in the Giro and then a courageous second overall in the Vuelta a Espana. But his crowning moment was his brilliant second place to Slovenian champion Tadej Pogacar in the World Road Championship in Switzerland. It will be the first time that Team Jayco AlUla has had an Australian leading its general classification charge since its inception in 2012. O'Connor was quietly confident before the teams presentation on Thursday. 'We have a really versatile team and I've performed well in Grand Tours in the past so I'll do everything I can to get back to the top five, which I've been able to do in all three grand tours,' O'Connor said. Jayco team owner Gerry Ryan is excited at the prospects for his team in this his 14th lap of France. 'There is an amazing vibe that you feel when you rock up to a Tour de France, the excitement is palpable - the party atmosphere that continues on every night with nearly a million raucous fans each day,' he told CODE Sports. Tadej Pogacar and Team UAE teammates in Lille's city centre during the official teams presentation. Picture: AFP 'Cycling is a global sport and all the major events receive serious media attention but the Tour is on another level and it is crucial for our team, riders, staff and most of all - our partners. 'It is the biggest annual sporting event on the planet and the eyes of the world are watching. 'A staggering 750 million watch the Tour live each day which is just mind blowing.' Ryan said Jayco was a well balanced team led by O'Connor, who was capable of getting on the final podium in Paris in three weeks' time. 'The team will be all in for Dylan Groenewegen in stage one,' he said. 'The Dutch sprinter is in great form and it would be a brilliant way to start the tour with the first Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey). 'We also have some realistic opportunities for other stage wins with Luke Plapp and Mauro Schmid.' Ryan said Plapp had recovered well from the Giro d'Italia where his first ever Grand Tour stage win impressed the cycling world. Schmid, like Plapp, is riding his first Tour and a week ago won the Swiss Time Trial and Road Race championships. 'Then we have Luke Durbridge,' Ryan said. 'Durbo is riding his 11th Tour and he is the engine that keeps the team together.' Plapp celebrates his stage win at the 108th Giro d'Italia in May. Picture: Getty Jack Haig is another Australian with the ability to challenge for a top 10 in Paris. The boy from Bendigo, who finished third in the 2021 Vuelta, is capable but his team duties with Bahrain Victorious will make things more difficult. Teammate and fellow Aussie Rob Stannard is making his Tour debut and will be looking to get in a breakaway to reveal his all-round abilities. Nine-time grand tour stage winner Kaden Groves has been named by Alpecin-Deceuninck for his debut TdF. While capable of sprinting to a stage victory, he will be leading out his Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen who will be chasing green jersey success. Jarrad Drizners is back in action with Lotto. The 26-year-old from Adelaide is riding his second Tour and will be chasing the breakaways. Harry Sweeny (EF Education-EasyPost) is also riding his second tour and will be hoping to improve on his third place in stage 12 in 2021. Callum Scotson, who has ridden many strong Giros and Vueltas for Jayco AlUla, is set to ride his first Tour with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team. And this will be Michael Storer's 10th grand tour and second TdF. Riding for Tudor Pro Cycling, his win in this year's Tour de Alps and 10th in the Giro make him a realistic chance for a top 10 finish. * Former pro cyclist and veteran commentator John Trevorrow is on the ground in France, bringing expert insights and updates on the Aussie riders throughout the Tour for CODE Sports.
Mid East Info
23-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Mid East Info
ALULA WELLNESS FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS OCTOBER WITH NEW ENDURANCE AND FITNESS EVENTS - Middle East Business News and Information
AlUla will once again host the return of the AlUla Wellness Festival from 24th October to 1st November 2025, inviting visitors to unwind, reconnect, and take part in a wide range of wellness and fitness experiences across the region's iconic landscapes. As part of the AlUla Moments calendar, the festival focuses on physical and mental wellbeing through movement, mindfulness, and community-based activities. The programme caters to all levels — from those seeking calm and stillness to those pursuing high-energy challenges — offering a balance of personal reflection and collective experiences in a uniquely natural setting. New Additions for 2025: Performance and Endurance Highlights This year introduces new mass participation events, sparking competition across running, cycling and swimming. AlUla Duathlon: The festival inaugurates with the introduction of AlUla Duathlon — a multisport event featuring Olympic, Sprint, and Kids' distances. Participants will run and cycle through AlUla's varied terrain, including desert, oasis, and mountain routes. The race village at Winter Park will offer food options and live DJ sets for both participants and spectators. AlUla Half Marathon: Taking place on Saturday 25th October, the AlUla Half Marathon includes 21.1km, 10km, 5km, 3km, and 1.5km children's races. The course runs through AlUla's scenic heritage areas, offering a unique backdrop for runners of all abilities. It also serves as an official lead-up to the 2026 Riyadh Marathon and will include entertainment and hospitality for attendees. Ashar Valley Triathlon: Set at the iconic Our Habitas AlUla swimming pool and decking area, this triathlon features a 3000m static row, 3000m static cycle, and a 300m swim. Participants will compete in timed waves, with a post-race breakfast provided. The event combines athletic challenge with a relaxed, premium setting. Ride with the Pros: Cyclists can train alongside professional riders from Team Jayco AlUla through a guided programme that includes two 90km rides, coaching sessions, and support from team staff — including mechanics, a doctor, and nutritionists. The experience gives cycling enthusiasts a rare look into the world of elite competition, all in AlUla's open-air terrain. AlUla 24-Hour Endurance Race: Teams and solo runners are invited to complete as many laps as possible of the 8km Camel Track within 24 hours. Open to groups of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 participants, the event offers a test of endurance, teamwork, and mental focus in an outdoor setting designed to challenge and inspire. Ongoing Wellness and Fitness Programming: In addition to endurance events, the AlUla Yoga Program will offer 78 sessions taking place at Banyan Tree, Our Habitas AlUla, Shaden Resort, and the Five Senses Sanctuary from 24 October to 1 November 2025. The Yoga Program will run alongside Les Mills fitness classes, hosted across AlUla's most iconic locations. A total of 22 sessions will take place at various landmarks including: Elephant Rock, Harrat Viewpoint, Maraya Rooftop, Heart of the Oasis, Hegra, and the Old Town Amphitheatre — giving fitness enthusiasts the opportunity to train with Les Mills and their elite-level instructors. Further details will be announced soon. Blending heritage, landscape, and wellness practices, the AlUla Wellness Festival continues to grow as a destination for those looking to reset both body and mind in a setting unlike anywhere else.
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Tour de France 2025 Stage 10: Live Stream Cycling, Monday, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Stage 10 of the Tour de France will take place on Monday, July 14th, and it could be one of the most eventful days of the race in the Massif Central rounds. Luke Durbridge of Australia and Team Jayco AlUla, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Yellow leader jersey and Edoardo Affini of Italy and Team Visma | Lease a Bike compete... Luke Durbridge of Australia and Team Jayco AlUla, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Yellow leader jersey and Edoardo Affini of Italy and Team Visma | Lease a Bike compete during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 9 a 174.1km stage from Chinon to Chateauroux ) / #UCIWT / on July 13, 2025 in Chateauroux, France. MoreHow to Watch Tour de France 2025 - Stage 10 When: Monday, July 14, 2025 Time: 7:00 AM ET Live Stream: Peacock (STREAM NOW) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia has the lead heading into Monday with a time of 33:17:22, which is 54 seconds ahead of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel. Rounding out the top five in the standings are Kevin Vauquelin of France, Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, and the United States' Matteo Jorgenson. Pogacar has been in this position before, and as a three-time Tour de France winner, knows what it will take to hold onto the lead. Of the pack, Vingegaard might have the best chance to pull off the comeback. He won this event in both 2022 and 2023. Stage 10 presents a difficult challenge with an astonishing eight categorized climbs, making this a grueling stretch of the race for everyone involved. This particular part of this year's Tour de France could be a make-or-break stage for the cyclists at the top. This is the biggest and most entertaining cycling event of the year that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action. Live stream Tour de France 2025 Stage 10 on Peacock: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
RTÉ News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tadej Pogacar claims milestone stage four win to move level with Mathieu van der Poel in Tour de France yellow jersey battle
Tadej Pogacar claimed the 100th victory of his professional career to move level on time with Mathieu van der Poel in the yellow jersey on a thrilling stage four of the Tour de France in Rouen. In the hometown of the Tour's first five-time winner Jacques Anquetil, Pogacar took a stride to what he hopes will be his fourth title with a show of strength on another classics-style stage, beating Van der Poel and his great rival Jonas Vingegaard in an uphill sprint. It was Pogacar's 18th career Tour stage win and one that put him on the same time as Van der Poel - who retains yellow on countback - with Vingegaard eight seconds back going into Wednesday's time trial. Pogacar, 26, became the fourth youngest rider to reach 100 professional wins. Ireland's Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla), who is riding in his Tour debut, crossed the line 1:49 down in 42nd, with Ben Healy (EF Education - EasyPost) four seconds further back. Healy is 35th overall in the general classification and ninth in the youth classification, while Cork native Dunbar is 55th in the GC. Lenny Martinez, the last survivor of a four-man breakaway, was collected with around 20km left as Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad and Vingegaard's Visma-Lease A Bike team came to the fore, quickly making a major selection in the peloton as few could keep with the pace. Pogacar tried to attack on the steepest section of the last categorised climb, where gradients hit 15% on the Rampe Saint-Hilaire, briefly distancing Vingegaard, who was the only man who could follow before getting back onto his rival's wheel by the summit. Remco Evenepoel dragged a handful of riders back across to the leading pair on the descent into Rouen, Van der Poel among them, but there would be no beating the world champion to victory. "I think today I got very, very close to the limit," Pogacar said. "I tried with an attack on the last climb and then Jonas followed me and everything came together. "Joao (Almeida) did such an amazing job to lead me out until the very end, even if people were attacking so I'm super happy and proud of the team today, it's amazing and I'm just without words, it's such a nice victory. "To win at the Tour is incredible, to do it in this jersey even more so and to win 100 victories is will see, tomorrow is the real test. Already to win a stage in this jersey for me it's enough, I just go on enjoying this race. Of course we aim for yellow and we will see." Evenepoel conceded another three seconds to Pogacar and Vingegaard, leaving him 58 seconds off yellow, while Primoz Roglic lost 32 seconds to fall one minute 27 seconds down.
RTÉ News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mathieu Van der Poel pips Tadej Pogacar to Tour de France stage two win
Mathieu van der Poel pipped Tadej Pogacar to victory on stage two of the Tour de France to take the yellow jersey from his team-mate Jasper Philipsen. Van der Poel edged an uphill sprint from overall favourites Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard before collapsing to the ground in Boulogne-sur-Mer, the end point of the hard-fought 209-kilometre stage from Lauwin-Planque, the longest of this year's Tour. It was the Belgian's second career Tour stage win, and the second to bring him yellow after his win on the Mur-de-Bretagne in 2021, when he held it for six days. Van der Poel delivered on his status as favourite for a classics-style stage that came down to the final three climbs of a rolling day across northern France, with a series of attacks splitting the peloton into pieces and setting up a ferocious battle up the short, steep rise to the line. Ireland's Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) finished 48th as he continued his Tour debut, with Ben Healy (EF Education - EasyPost) close behind in 52nd. The latter is 52nd in the general classification, with Dunbar 84th. Former world champion Julian Alaphilippe was the first to launch a major dig but Van der Poel and Pogacar were quickly on to his wheel, waiting for the finish line to come into view with a little over 100 metres to go. When Van der Poel opened the taps Pogacar responded but the current world champion could not come around the man who wore the rainbows before him. "It was super difficult, the final, harder than I thought," Van der Poel said. "I was really motivated because it's been four years since I won my first stage on the Tour de France so it was about time I won a second one. Of course people put me as a favourite but if you see the riders that were in front on the climbs, I think I did a really good job to be there... "It's a dream for a team, these first two days, and everything that comes now is just a bonus." Van der Poel leads by four seconds from Pogacar, with Vingegaard a further two seconds back after bonus seconds were applied. Pogacar took the king of the mountains jersey, almost accidentally, as he led the group over the penultimate climb of the Cote de Saint-Etienne-au-Mont. Philipsen had been distanced on the Cote d'Outreau, the last categorised climb of the day, coming home 31 seconds down to hand the jersey to his Alpecin-Deceuninck team-mate. The start of the stage was held up by 15 minutes as teams were delayed getting to Lauwin-Planque in some miserable weather, but the sun eventually came out as the race heated up. Vingegaard, so active in Saturday's crosswinds, again looked spritely with the two-time Tour winner the first to push on as they came over the Cote d'Outreau to ensure it would be a selective finish. This time Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic stuck with the front group, but the Ineos Grenadiers' Carlos Rodriguez lost 31 seconds.
