Jayco-AlUla unveil Giro d'Italia team with 'a chance at winning every stage', led by GC contender Ben O'Connor

Jayco-AlUla have revealed their squad for the 2026 Giro d’Italia, with Ben O’Connor spearheading their bid for general classification success. O’Connor, who finished fourth in last year’s race, returns with ambitions to improve on that result and contend for the overall podium. The 30-year-old Australian faces stiff competition from prominent riders such as Jonas Vingegaard, the race favourite, alongside Egan Bernal, Giulio Pellizzari, Adam Yates, and Felix Gall. The Giro will commence in Bulgaria on 8 May and conclude in Rome on 31 May, marking the first Grand Tour of the season. O’Connor expressed his affection for the Giro, highlighting its significance as the race where he secured his first Grand Tour stage victory in 2020. He praised the 2026 route for its balance, noting key mountain stages in the Alps and the challenging Blockhaus climb, as well as demanding segments through the Marche and Liguria regions. O’Connor arrives at the Giro seeking his first win of the season, having finished eighth at the Tour of the Alps and 25th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with his most recent victory dating back to the Tour de France last summer. The team supporting O’Connor includes Dutch climber Koen Bouwman and debutant Alan Hatherly, the cross-country mountain bike world champion. Pascal Ackermann will lead the sprint efforts, while experienced Italian all-rounder Andrea Vendrame makes his eighth Giro appearance. The squad is completed by road captain Chris Juul-Jensen, German rider Felix Engelhardt, and British newcomer Robert Donaldson, offering a well-rounded lineup capable of contesting various stages. Jayco-AlUla’s directeur sportif Steve Cummings expressed confidence in the team’s versatility and ability to challenge for stage wins throughout the race. He emphasised that O’Connor’s preparations have been focused on the three-week challenge ahead, with support riders well-suited to the varied terrain. Cummings anticipates a closely fought general classification battle until the decisive Alpine stages in the final week, where the overall winner is likely to emerge. The team’s balanced composition aims to capitalise on the route’s demands and maintain competitiveness across all types of stages.