Nat Bromhead
After three impressive years with WorldTour ‘Superteam’ Jumbo-Visma, Chris Harper will be making a fresh start with Aussie team BikeExchange Jayco for 2023.
The 27-year-old Victorian, who has signed for two years with the team, will pick up where he left off as a strong & trusted domestique, with the team saying he will be a key part of their future general classification success.
Brent Copeland, General Manager of GreenEDGE cycling, said it was always good to get talented Australian riders into the team.
“We have a few younger riders making the step up to the WorldTour by joining our team, and we hope we can develop them well in the next years,” he said. ”But with Chris, he is already a well-established rider with lots of experience, so it is very motivating for us to welcome him onto the team,” he added.
“Chris already knows a lot of the riders and staff well, being a rider from Australia, and we have only heard great things about him and seen how he has played a valuable role as a domestique rider in the biggest stage races in the world. We can’t wait to get started and we are confident it is going to be a great addition having Chris on our team in the hilly races.”
Harper says he is “very excited” by the prospect of riding with the Australian team for the coming two seasons.
“Being an Australian, I’ve always admired the team and had a lot of respect for the staff and riders so it is exciting to be joining them,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career and finding some good goals over the coming season and I hope that I can contribute to a lot of success within the team.”
Grateful to Jumbo Visma, and gracious to have ridden with the superteam, he said it had been a pleasure to be with them for three seasons. ”I’ve met a lot of great people, and learnt a hell of a lot. I look forward to seeing you on the road next year.”
Harper’s Highlights
Harper’s Highlights over the past few years with Jumbo Visma include –
2022 He played an important role in the successful opening weekend of the Vuelta a España in the Netherlands. The team won the opening TTT in Utrecht in front of home fans. The Australian also strongly contributed to Primoz Roglic’s victory in the Criterium du Dauphiné.
2021 Harper started 2021 well with a fourth place in the general classification of the UAE Tour. In addition, he rode several prominent one-day races including Strade Bianche, Clásica San Sebastián and Il Lombardia.
2020 In his first year with Jumbo Visma, Harper rode his first Grand Tour – the Vuelta. Then 25 years of age, he was also at the start of the Giro d’Italia but the team had to stop after the ninth stage because of a positive Covid test.
Chris Harper – Fast Facts
- Date of Birth: 23rd November 1994 (27)
- Rode with Team Jumbo-Visma 2020, 2021 & 2022
- Joins GreenEDGE Cycling: 2023 & 2024
- Top Results
- 1st Tour of Japan – Overall (2019)
- 1st Tour of Japan – Stage 6 (2019)
- 1st Oceania Continental Championships (2018)
- 1st Le Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc
- 2nd Australian Championships – Road Race (2019)
- 3rd Australian Championships – Time Trial (2018 & 2020)
- 4th UAE Tour – Overall (2021)
For more on riders to watch in 2023 read Peter Maniaty’s feature article in the January February edition of Bicycling Australia Magazine. You can subscribe and save via this link.
