Jayco AlUla 2026 Team is the only WorldTour team representing the Asia-Pacific region, flying the flag for Australia in a peloton dominated by European powerhouses.
Team Jayco AlUla enters 2026 with a refined look, a leaner roster, and a clear mission: Prove that they belong at the top table. After a turbulent off-season where financial guarantees threatened their license, team owner Gerry Ryan has once again secured the future of “GreenEDGE.”
Based in Denia, Spain (the Costa Blanca training mecca), but with its heart firmly in Adelaide, the team has successfully evolved from a “mates club” into a ruthless points-hunting machine.
In this guide, I break down the “Moneyball” transfer strategy, the stylish MAAP kit, and why Ben O’Connor is the key to their Grand Tour dreams.
It is easy to forget just how impressive Jayco AlUla’s survival is. As the sole WorldTour representative from the Southern Hemisphere, they face logistical challenges that Visma or UAE never dream of.
While the riders train on the sunny roads of Denia, the team’s existence is vital for the global ecosystem, providing the primary pathway for Australian and Asian talent to reach the European pro ranks. Good on ya, GreenEDGE.
2026 Goals: From Adelaide to the Rhône-Alpes
The season begins with immense pressure on home soil, but the ambitions span the globe.
- Tour Down Under (Jan): The “Must Win.” Ben O’Connor and Luke Plapp are tasked with keeping the ochre jersey in Australian hands.
- The Classics: With the arrival of Pascal Ackermann, the team shifts focus to Milan-San Remo and the Belgian cobbled classics.
- Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (June): Formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné, this newly rebranded race will be the critical warm-up for the Tour de France squad.
- Grand Tours: The team will hunt stages at the Giro d’Italia and target a General Classification podium at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
The “Moneyball” Strategy: Points Over Poetry
The transfer window was defined by efficiency. Management had to juggle the UCI Points system to ensure WorldTour survival. The result is a roster designed to score points every single week, not just in July.
The Strategy: They traded the “pure speed” of Dylan Groenewegen for the “versatility” of Pascal Ackermann.
- Groenewegen (Out): A pure winner, but inconsistent point scorer.
- Ackermann (In): A grinder. He sprints, he climbs short hills, and he racks up top-5 finishes in Classics. He brings 355 UCI Points and arguably more consistency.
- The Engine Room: Signing Alessandro Covi (550 Points) and Dries De Bondt (487 Points) adds massive horsepower for breakaways and semi-classics.
Staff Update: The “Professor” Joins Management
The team has bolstered its tactical brain by hiring Alessandro De Marchi as a Directeur Sportif. The legendary Italian breakaway artist retired in 2025 and immediately stepped into the team car. His race craft will be essential for guiding young talents like Hamish McKenzie and Finlay Pickering.
Jayco AlUla Team 2026 Bikes & Equipment
The team continues its massive partnership with Giant, controlling almost every touchpoint on the bike. The partnership with MAAP (started in 2025) continues to deliver arguably one of the best-looking kit in the peloton.
The Bikes
- Aero Bike: Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 (The Sprinter’s Weapon)
- Climbing Bike: Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 (The GC Machine)
- TT Bike: Giant Trinity Advanced Pro
The Components
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 (12-speed)
- Wheels: CADEX 50 Ultra (All-round) / CADEX 65 (Flat stages)
- Tires: Vittoria Corsa PRO (Tubeless, 28mm/30mm)
- Power Meter: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200-P
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
- Saddle: CADEX Amp / Giant Fleet SLR
- Computer: Garmin Edge 1050
The Wear
- Kit: MAAP (Pro Air Jersey / Team Bib Evo)
- Helmets: Giant Rev Pro Mips (Climbing) / Giant Pursuit Mips (Aero)
- Shoes: Giant Surge Pro
- Glasses: Scicon (Aeroscope / Aeroshade)
Transfers IN (The Points Harvest)
| Rider | From Team | 2025 UCI Points |
|---|---|---|
| COVI Alessandro | UAE Team Emirates | 550 pts |
| DE BONDT Dries | Decathlon AG2R | 487 pts |
| VENDRAME Andrea | Decathlon AG2R | 394 pts |
| ACKERMANN Pascal | NSN Cycling Team | 355 pts |
| CAPIOT Amaury | Arkéa – B&B Hotels | 203 pts |
| PICKERING Finlay | Bahrain – Victorious | 187 pts |
| DE POOTER Dries | Intermarché – Wanty | 94 pts |
| PORTER Rudy | (Returning) | 45 pts |
| MCKENZIE Hamish | Hagens Berman Jayco | 20 pts |
Transfers OUT (The Exodus)
| Rider | Goes To |
|---|---|
| GROENEWEGEN Dylan | Unibet Rose Rockets |
| ZANA Filippo | Soudal Quick-Step |
| DUNBAR Eddie | Pinarello – Q36.5 |
| HARPER Chris | Pinarello – Q36.5 |
| WALSCHEID Max | Lidl – Trek |
| REINDERS Elmar | Unibet Rose Rockets |
| DE MARCHI Alessandro | Retirement (Became DS) |
Alessandro Covi: The “Unchained” Potential & Bike Size Prediction
The signing of Alessandro Covi might be the most underrated transfer of the 2026 season. For years, the Italian “Puma” has been caged at UAE Team Emirates, burying his explosive talent to pull on the front for Pogačar and Ayuso.
At Jayco AlUla, the leash is off. Covi is no longer a domestique; he is a designated “Points Hunter.” His ability to survive medium mountains and win reduced sprints makes him the perfect weapon for races like the Amstel Gold Race, Bretagne Classic, and stage hunting at the Giro d’Italia. He is the chaotic energy this team needs.
My Tech Prediction: Colnago vs. Giant
As I analyzed in my 2023 Covi Bike Fit deep dive, Alessandro stands at 1.80m but famously rides an ultra-compact frame to maximize agility and aerodynamics.
- Previous Setup:Colnago V4Rs, Size 48.5s.
- Geometry: Top Tube 535mm | Reach 382mm | Stack 528mm.
- My Analysis: This is a surprisingly small frame for a 1.80m rider, allowing for a massive saddle-to-bar drop and a long 120mm+ stem.
- 2026 Prediction:Giant Propel Advanced SL, Size S.
- Geometry: Top Tube 535mm | Reach 378mm | Stack 529mm.
- My Verdict: It is a near-perfect geometric match. The Giant Size S mirrors the stack of his Colnago almost to the millimeter (529mm vs 528mm). The Reach is slightly shorter (4mm difference), which suggests to me that Covi might push his stem length out to 130mm or 140mm on the Giant to replicate his aggressive UAE position.
Complete Jayco AlUla 2026 Roster
| Rider Name | Nationality | Key Role (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| O’CONNOR Ben | 🇦🇺 Australia | GC Leader (Tour de France / TDU) |
| MATTHEWS Michael | 🇦🇺 Australia | Classics / Stages |
| ACKERMANN Pascal | 🇩🇪 Germany | Top Sprinter |
| PLAPP Luke | 🇦🇺 Australia | GC / TT / TDU Support |
| SCHMID Mauro | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Stage Hunter / Puncher |
| COVI Alessandro | 🇮🇹 Italy | Breakaway Specialist / Points |
| DE BONDT Dries | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Breakaway Specialist / Classics |
| VENDRAME Andrea | 🇮🇹 Italy | Fast Finisher / Stage Hunter |
| HATHERLY Alan | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Climber / MTB Crossover |
| BOUWMAN Koen | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Climber / Breakaway |
| MEZGEC Luka | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Leadout Captain |
| CAPIOT Amaury | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Classics / Leadout |
| DURBRIDGE Luke | 🇦🇺 Australia | Road Captain / TT |
| JUUL-JENSEN Christopher | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Road Captain |
| SÜTTERLIN Jasha | 🇩🇪 Germany | Engine / Leadout |
| ENGELHARDT Felix | 🇩🇪 Germany | Puncher / Young Talent |
| PICKERING Finlay | 🇬🇧 UK | Young Climber |
| FOLDAGER Anders | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Young Talent |
| GAMPER Patrick | 🇦🇹 Austria | Rouleur |
| MCKENZIE Hamish | 🇦🇺 Australia | TT / Neo-Pro |
| DE POOTER Dries | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Classics Support |
| DE PRETTO Davide | 🇮🇹 Italy | Young Puncher |
| DONALDSON Robert | 🇬🇧 UK | Leadout |
| DOUBLE Paul | 🇬🇧 UK | Climber Support |
| HELLEMOSE Asbjørn | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Domestique |
| KRIJNSEN Jelte | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Domestique |
| O’BRIEN Kelland | 🇦🇺 Australia | Track / Leadout |
| PORTER Rudy | 🇦🇺 Australia | Climber |
| CONCA Filippo | 🇮🇹 Italy | Domestique |
The Optimizer’s Verdict
This is a team that knows exactly what it needs to do. The financial scare in October forced a hard reset, trading the luxury of a pure sprinter for the efficiency of Ackermann and Covi.
By continuing their partnership with MAAP, they have ensured they will look good while doing it. But the real test comes in June at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. That is where I expect to see if Ben O’Connor has the legs to challenge Vingegaard and Pogačar in July.
As the only WorldTour team from the Asia-Pacific, they carry the hopes of an entire continent. Good on ya, GreenEDGE.
Curious about the bikes they are racing against? See how the Jayco AlUla 2026 Giant Propel ranks against the “Superbikes” of Visma and UAE in my complete WorldTour 2026 Team Bikes Master Guide.