Plapp and Jayco AlUla reflect on first season: "On paper, it doesn't look like I've developed much, but…"

After making his debut with INEOS Grenadiers, Luke Plapp embarked on a new adventure with Jayco AlUla in 2024. The Australian was hoping for more personal opportunities to shine, but the 23-year-old time trial specialist experienced a mixed season. Still, he certainly isn’t dissatisfied with how his year turned out.

Plapp has been considered a top talent for years, but his true breakthrough has yet to come. A few noteworthy results in the Giro d’Italia stood out as highlights, but his ambitions for the general classification went down the drain. “On paper, it doesn't look like I've developed that much but I mean, at the Giro, I was right up there for ten days in the white jersey, and up there on GC, and then I got sick,” Plapp told Cyclingnews. “And then again, the Olympics, I was right up there and then crashed.” Indeed, in Paris, the Australian set a top time at the intermediate point in the time trial, but he eventually crashed on the soaking wet streets and badly injured his abdomen.

Despite missing out on his biggest targets, Plapp remains optimistic about his progress. "Paris-Nice was the only race where the results were there on paper," he admitted. "But I really feel physically my body changed, and we're only a couple of good bits of luck away from an amazing year. I know, my coach knows and the team know how much of a step forward the year was. It's just not there on paper for others to see, but it does give a lot of confidence moving forward."

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After his crash in Paris, he was able to pose with his 'golden' compatriot Grace Brown while recovering in the hospital

Top ten in a Grand Tour: "The next big goal"

Even at just 23 years old, the Australian already has no fewer than five elite national titles under his belt: two in the time trial and two in the road race. The national championships are still a big goal for the upcoming year. "Basically, I'd like to have one of them. If I can't have the roadie again, the time trial would be nice but if we can make it with someone from the team, that'd be just as good."

Plapp has also mapped out his major goals for the season. "I still haven't won a race in Europe so that'd be a nice little goal for next year at least. I've got a couple of top fives, top tens in one week World Tour races already, so I'd like to keep ticking them off but I think a top 10 in a Grand Tour is the next big goal. And if that happens next year, then the next year you try to go better than that."

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