Australian squad for Tour de l’Avenir 2021

AusCycling is pleased to confirm the final selections for the Australian team competing in the 2021 Tour de l’Avenir from 13–22 August.

Known as the Tour de France for under-23 men, the Tour de l’Avenir – the “race of the future” – is considered the benchmark event for young road cyclists. With past winners including Tadej Pogačar (2018), Egan Bernal (2017), Nairo Quintana (2010) and Miguel Indurain (1986), success here often foreshadows a glittering professional career.

The route

This year’s 10 stages follow a typically challenging route in the east of France, where the general classification will be decided in the high mountains.

After a short prologue on Friday to open up the legs, the peloton will negotiate three flat stages and a 27km team time trial before the real climbing starts. A lumpy stage through the Jura precedes the first mountaintop finish on Stage 7 at the top of the Grand-Colombier.

That will be the first of a trio of mountain stages, with the race saving the best for last. The final stage traverses Europe’s highest road pass (the Col de l’Iseran at 2,764m) en route to a summit finish at the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard.

The squad

The team includes Tokyo team pursuit bronze medallist and newly-signed INEOS Grenadiers rider Lucas Plapp. As Australia’s elite individual time trial champion, Plapp will be suited to the two stages against the clock while looking to test his limits in the high mountains.

Plapp is one of four squad members who have cut their teeth in the National Road Series with InForm TMX Make. Two others are under-23 individual time trial national champion Carter Turnbull and Grafton to Inverell winner Rudy Porter. They recently moved to Girona to join the Trinity Racing development team, and both will relish the challenge of climbing at altitude.

“I’m heading into the tour very optimistic about what us as a team can achieve. We have a very talented group of guys who are proud to represent the green and gold and I know will make the most of the opportunity to put on a show at the biggest under-23 race in the world,” Porter said.

“I've had limited under-23 European racing experience, so I’m still trying to gauge where I’m at. However, climbing is my biggest strength and I’m intrigued and excited to see where I’m at against the best. This is a race I have always wanted to do, so I’m keen to gain valuable experience and take in every moment.”

Fellow Victorian Jensen Plowright will make his representative debut as he continues to develop through the Podium Potential Academy endurance pathway. After winning the Melbourne to Warrnambool and the omnium and points race national titles earlier this year, the Team Bridgelane sprinter has been familiarising himself with France’s mountainous terrain.

“This will be my first time representing Australia and it'll be a great opportunity to test myself against the best under-23s around the world,” Plowright said. “I've prepared myself in a pretty unorthodox way by racing Le Tour Savoie Mont Blanc, so it may take a couple of stages to get used to the sprints. I'm coming into this race strong, so I'll have a good crack, that's for sure!”

Jarrad Drizners, the 2020 under-23 road race national champion who rides for Hagens Berman Axeon, also joins the team. Drizners won the National Road Series in 2019 with the team now known as Inform TMX Make, and he brings versatility across a variety of terrain.

Sydney’s Matt Dinham completes the six-rider roster. Dinham brings representative experience from international cross-country mountain bike events and is developing into a strong road rider with Team Bridgelane.

Rory Sutherland, Elite Road Coordinator for the Australian Cycling Team, has been overseeing the squad’s preparations in Europe.

“The Tour de l’Avenir is the premier under-23 road cycling race in the world as it allows for athletes to develop their stage racing prowess,” Sutherland said. “Current world events have made travel and racing a challenge, so we’re thrilled to have the athletes in Europe to represent Australia on the world stage.

“Our youth are the future of the sport and this race is a key event. The riders will be focused on racing as a team and gaining experience to further develop their skills.”

Europe-based riders allow selection

This Tour de l’Avenir will be AusCycling’s first international under-23 development project since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Travel restrictions, race cancellations and health concerns had put a halt to plans since the beginning of 2020. Until recently, Australia’s participation at the Tour de l’Avenir looked likely to suffer the same fate.

According to Donna Rae-Szalinski, AusCycling Endurance Development Coordinator, due to travel restrictions Australia was only able to field a team after several athletes moved overseas of their own accord.

“In the last four-to-six weeks, 11 of our under-23s have taken themselves to Europe, along with others who’d been there all year. We put out a call for EOIs and landed with these six riders,” Rae-Szalinksi said.

“The last time we sent a team [to the Tour de l’Avenir] was 2019. We haven’t been able to do any international under-23 projects since COVID, so we’re really excited to finally facilitate a substantial development project,” Rae-Szalinksi said.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for them to see what the competition is like at an international level; what it’s like to race a 10-day tour in Europe against the best of their peers,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to set a benchmark for yourself – and to showcase your abilities, because all the pro teams are watching.”

Australia has enjoyed success at the race, with Nick Schultz, Caleb Ewan and Michael Hepburn among recent stage winners and Robert Power reaching the overall podium in 2014.

Australian fans can watch the 2021 Tour de L’Avenir on GCN+.

Roster for 2021 Tour de L’Avenir

Jarrad Drizners, 22, Kilkenny CC, Hagens Berman Axeon

Lucas Plapp, 20, Brunswick CC, INEOS Grenadiers

Jensen Plowright, 21, Hawthorn CC, Team Bridgelane

Carter Turnbull, 21, St Kilda CC, Trinity Racing

Rudy Porter, 20, Carnegie Caufield CC, Trinity Racing

Matt Dinham, 21, Manly Warringah CC, Team Bridgelane

Photo credit: Casey Gibson