Debut Down Under: Australian Champion Plapp Set to Conquer Paris-Nice with General Classification on His Mind

After a successful Australian season, Luke Plapp is geared up to flaunt his national champion’s jersey in his European debut at Paris-Nice.

The eight-day race, known as the ‘Race to the Sun,’ will kick off on March 3rd and conclude on March 10th, taking riders from France’s capital down to the southern coast. Plapp, alongside his teammate Chris Harper, aims to make an impact in the team time trial and the challenging stages of the event close to Nice.

Plapp shared his excitement about the upcoming race, stating, “It’s been a great little block, starting in Australia and then having a good few weeks up on the volcano in Tenerife. I’m really excited to race my first Paris-Nice and ride with a few new boys on the team.”

Team Jayco AlUla boasts a formidable lineup for Paris-Nice, with a mix of riders targeting different stages. From sprinter Dylan Groenewegen eyeing the opening sprint days to experienced Michael Matthews focusing on the rolling stages, and Luke Durbridge as the reliable road captain, the team is poised for success.

Sport Director Mathew Hayman expressed confidence in the team, stating, “The backend of Paris-Nice is quite hilly as we get towards Nice and those guys will be looking to those hilly stages, and of course, we’ve got Dylan Groenewegen for the flat days.”

With Plapp eyeing a strong performance in his debut tour, the Australian powerhouse is enthusiastic about the challenges that lie ahead.