How Australia’s riders fared at the 2024 Tour de France
While Tadej Pogacar put on a dominant display at the Tour de France it was a different story for Australia’s top riders. But Jayco team owner Gerry Ryan says there’s a bright spot for Olympics hopes.
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In the annals of cycling history, the 111th edition of the Tour de France will be remembered as a grand spectacle. Just not from an Australian perspective.
The fifth instalment of the riveting rivalry between defending champion Dane Jonas Vingegaard and Slovenian titan Tadej Pogacar delivered beyond expectations.
The race was further electrified by the Belgian prodigy Remco Evenepoel, who, in his Tour debut, proved he will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
Despite the hype surrounding these three superstars, it was Pogacar who stole the show.
He dominated the race, clinching six stages and finishing more than six minutes ahead of Vingegaard.
He became the first rider since Italian legend Marco Pantani in 1998 to claim the prestigious Giro-Tour double.
However, for the Australians, the Tour was a tale of disappointment.
Only six riders lined up in Florence three weeks ago, each carrying high hopes of success.
The closest Australia came to a stage win was on Stage 6 when Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen triumphed in Dijon, riding for Australia’s sole World Tour team Jayco AlUla. He was expertly guided to the front by the team’s Aussie trio Michael Matthews, Luke Dubridge, and Chris Harper.
Unfortunately, Harper was forced to withdraw due to Covid with a week to go, becoming the only Aussie not to finish.
Team owner Gerry Ryan remained philosophical about the result.
“Securing a stage win was a positive takeaway,” he said.
“We were unfortunate that Simon Yates fell ill in the first week, as he was our best chance for a high overall placing.
“The event was marred by sickness, and losing Chris Harper in the final week was a blow, as he would have been a valuable support for Simon in the mountains.
“Despite the setbacks, Yates showed his mettle with impressive second and third-place finishes in the final mountain stages.
“Matthews also put in a strong performance in the final week and looks promising for the Olympic Road Race in Paris.”
Jai Hindley, the 2022 Giro winner, was Australia’s brightest hope.
After a commendable first attempt last year, where he claimed a stage, donned the Maillot Jaune, and finished an impressive 7th despite a debilitating crash, Hindley entered this Tour as a key support rider for Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe’s team leader Primoz Roglic.
However, Roglic crashed out in the first week, and Hindley, who struggled with sickness early on, never quite found his 2023 form, finishing 18th at 57 minutes behind Pogacar.
Jack Haig, who rode tirelessly for Bahrain Victorious leader Santiago Buitrago, finished 31st overall, more than two hours behind.
Despite his efforts, he couldn’t replicate the climbing prowess that earned him third overall in the 2021 Vuelta a Espana.
Jarrad Drizners, in his first Tour de France, demonstrated remarkable grit and determination to overcome a crash in the final week.
Selected as road captain for the Belgian Lotto Dstny squad in only his second Grand Tour, the young South Australian proved he has the potential to win stages in the future.
His performance offers a glimmer of hope for Australian cycling.
Originally published as How Australia’s riders fared at the 2024 Tour de France
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