Tour de France 2025: Preview of Australian riders including Ben O’Connor’s GC bid

Ten of Australia’s best cyclists are ready to tackle the world’s biggest annual sporting event. With Ben O’Connor targeting a podium and Team Jayco AlUla stronger than ever, here’s all you need to know ahead of Saturday’s start.

Ben O'Connor at the team presentation before the 112th Tour de France. Picture: AFP

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.