Jayco AlUla leaves Ewan behind for Vuelta a España, focuses on climbers and mid-mountain riders

Jayco AlUla has finalized its selection for the Vuelta a España. The Australian-Saudi team initially planned to include sprinter Caleb Ewan, but ultimately decided on a different approach for the final selection, focusing mainly on climbers and mid-mountain specialists.

Eddie Dunbar, Filippo Zana and Chris Harper have been announced as the key riders for the high mountains. "I am looking forward to the Vuelta very much. After the Giro I had two months of good training and I am feeling in good shape ahead of the race. It will only be my second time at the Vuelta and I would love to try and take a stage victory. The team we have has many climbers and riders to go for results from the breakaway. Aggressive racing will suit us well," said Zana.

Team leader Pieter Weening added: "We start the Vuelta with a squad built from aggressive style riders that can go into breakaways and the type of riders that can still finish it off after a day in the break. So, our main objective is going after stage wins at this year’s race."

Jayco-AlUla also bets on all-rounder Schmid and fast boy Engelhardt

"We've put together a mixed team with a lot of climbers but also powerful riders like Schmid and a faster guy with Engelhardt," said the Dutch former rider, who sees plenty of opportunities for his team starting in the second week.

"We start the race with an individual time trial and then already on stage four there is a mountain top finish. Then from stage six onwards there are plenty of opportunities, the types of stages where we can take the race on and try for stage wins," he concluded. Callum Scotson, Alessandro De Marchi and Welay Hagos Berhe complete Jayco AlUla's team. Ewan will instead race in the Tour of Poland.

Jayco AlUla selection Vuelta a España 2024

Mauro Schmid
Eddie Dunbar
Alessandro de Marchi
Felix Engelhardt
Chris Harper
Filippo Zana
Callum Scotson
Welay Hagos Berhe