Jayco-AlUla confirms Giro team that will support Ben O'Connor's GC bid

Jayco-AlUla has officially unveiled its eight-rider roster for the upcoming Giro d'Italia, making them the third WorldTour team to do so. The Australian outfit will back Ben O'Connor in his General Classification ambitions, a role he last held successfully in 2021. Additionally, the team has confirmed support for German sprinter Pascal Ackermann, aiming for stage victories in the flatter finishes of the season's first Grand Tour.

This announcement solidifies O'Connor's position as Jayco-AlUla's undisputed leader for the Giro, a race where he famously finished fourth overall in 2021 while riding for AG2R Citroën. His subsequent move to Jayco-AlUla saw him target the Tour de France, but a return to Italy, where he has a proven track record, offers a clearer path to a high GC placing. Ackermann's inclusion suggests a dual strategy, balancing GC aspirations with the perennial pursuit of sprint glory, a common but often challenging approach in Grand Tours.

O'Connor’s return to the Giro's familiar embrace, away from the Tour's relentless pressure, might just be the pragmatic move needed to rekindle his Grand Tour podium potential.