Team BikeExchange-Jayco has named a strong team of opportunists for the 2022 Tour de France, led by four-time stage winner Dylan Groenewegen and green jersey and three-time stage winner Michael Matthews.
With seven Tour de France stage victories between them, the experienced duo headline the versatile line-up, with stage success the Australian outfit’s primary objective across the three weeks of racing, which begins next Friday, 1st July in Copenhagen.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Jack Bauer (NZL) – 7th appearance
Luke Durbridge (AUS) – 8th appearance
Dylan Groenewegen (NED) – 5th appearance
Amund Grøndahl Jansen (NOR) – 5th appearance
Chris Juul-Jensen (DEN) – 5th appearance
Michael Matthews (AUS) – 7th appearance
Luka Mezgec (SLO) – 3rd appearance
Nick Schultz (AUS) – Debut appearance
Experience & Diversity
The eight-rider squad is built on solid foundations, with the majority of riders lining-up for their fifth appearance or more at La Grande Boucle. Dane Chris Juul-Jensen will guide the support team, ready for a Tour de France start in his home country, alongside two Australian riders in the shape of Luke Durbridge, who lines-up for his eighth Tour de France and Nick Schultz, set to make his debut appearance.
Back for more, after two close second place finishes in 2020, will be Slovenian fast man Luka Mezgec and two powerhouses in New Zealander Jack Bauer and Norwegian Amund Grøndahl Jansen, both with crucial support roles.
Target Stages
GreenEDGE Cycling has claimed seven Tour de France stage victories during its ten-year existence (2x 2013, 1x 2016, 4x 2019), plus two overall victories in the young rider classification (2016, 2017), three top-10 overall finishes (2016, 2017, 2020) and seven-days in the Maillot Jaune (3x 2013, 4x 2020). Returning to an opportunistic approach for 2022, the squad looks to get the ball rolling early on, with the second and third stage in Denmark marked out as early targets.
Once the race enters France, stage four and six are also noted as potential stages that can suit the team’s diverse strengths, bookmarking what is set to be an iconic stage five; the ‘Paris-Roubaix’ stage which features the infamous Arenberg cobbles. The middle week brings the high mountains where an open and opportunistic mindset will be key, before more favourable stages await on stages 13, 15 and 19, ahead of the traditional final stage on the Champs Elysées.
Brent Copeland – General Manager
“It’s almost time for the spectacle that is the Tour de France and we’re delighted to see the event returning to normal each year, with our fans and sponsors able to join us and be a part of what is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Our technical staff have been working hard over the past months to select a well-balanced team ready to challenge for stage victories, which is our main objective for this year’s race, and we are looking forward to taking every opportunity with both hands.
With the Grand Départ in Copenhagen, I am sure it will be a memorable edition, there is never an easy Tour de France and the parcours looks interesting and should create an exciting three-week race. We believe with the team we have put together; we have plenty of great possibilities to challenge for those prestigious stage victories and we are ready to get started in a week’s time.”
Matthew White – Head Sport Director
“This is an experienced group to be taking to what is always a beautiful, yet stressful block of racing. We have a team of guys who can win stages and be very competitive across the three weeks over various terrains. There is one thing for sure; this group will put their hearts and souls into our daily plans and objectives from day one in Copenhagen, until we cross that finish line in Paris.”
Dylan Groenewegen – 4x TDF stage winner
“I’m looking forward to returning to the Tour de France, the last time I raced was in 2019 and it was a success for me, and so it is great to be returning this year. I will have a strong team, the best support that I need, with really good lead-out men like Luka Mezgec. We’ve been working a lot together this year, we’ve had some good wins and that is the big goal for us in France.
The second stage in Copenhagen is a stage I am looking forward to, I hope there is not too much wind so it can finish with a sprint. The sprints at the TDF are always hectic, not only with all the sprinters but there’s always general classification riders trying to stay at the front too for the time, so it’s always busy in the bunch and this makes it different to other races. Having these experienced riders around me in the finals will be important during the whole Tour.”
Team BikeExchange-Jayco – 2022 Tour de France Team Stats:
Youngest rider: Nick Schultz (27)
Oldest rider: Jack Bauer (37)
Tour de France debutants: Nick Schultz (1x)
Most Tour de France appearances: Luke Durbridge (8x)
Total Tour de France appearances: (40x)
