Nat Bromhead
Just two Aussies started the 2020 Tour de France, the hopes of the nation upon the shoulders of GC contender Richie Porte and sprinter Caleb Ewan. Neither let us down, Richie finishing on the podium in Paris, and Caleb Ewan sealing the deal with three decisive stage victories.
By comparison, a total of 10 Australians will be lining up for the start of the 108th Tour de France – the race kicking off with a 197km stage on Saturday.
From race veteran Richie Porte through to young Queensland rider Harry Sweeny, the impressive list of Aussies are –
Richie Porte
Age: 36
Team: Ineos Grenadiers
Australia’s favourite pro rider, Richie Porte will start his 11th Tour de France this year, following up from his Top 3 finish in 2020.
Winner of the Criterium du Dauphine just a few weeks back, Richie goes into Le Tour as one of the critical playmakers in the Ineos Grenadiers quest for yellow. He is 36 years old and in the form of his life, and certainly will be one of the riders to light up the 108th Tour.
Jack Haig
Age: 27
Team: Bahrain Victorous
Starting his 2nd Tour de France, Jack Haig is lead GC rider for his new team Bahrain Victorious.
His sixth Grand Tour, Haig has shown consistently solid form as he worked through the Mitchelton-Scott ranks prior to a team switch at the end of 2020.
At 67kg and 190cm, there’s no missing Haig, especially in his bright red Bahrain kit.
The 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France.
Lucas Hamilton
Age: 25
Team: Team Bike Exchange
His first Tour de France, 25yo Lucas Hamilton goes into the 2021 Tour as designated GC contender for the Aussie team, Team Bike Exchange.
Born on Thursday Island in 1996, Hamilton has steadily risen through the ranks after his first big win, the Road Race at the 2014 Oceania Junior Road Championships.
Luke Durbridge
Age: 30
Team: Team Bike Exchange
One of Australia’s favourite pros, ‘Turbo Durbo’ is an absolute powerhouse and is starting his sixth Tour de France.
Team Road Captain for the first time at the Tour, 30yo Durbridge will be powering the team forward over the 21-day, 3400+km race.
Michael Matthews
Age: 30
Team: Team Bike Exchange
Returning to ‘the Aussie team’ after time away at Team Sunweb, the rider nicknamed ‘Bling’ will be hunting stage wins, particularly over medium mountain stages and the lumpier sprints.
Michael Matthews has stated five Tours, won three stages, and taken the Green jersey in 2017. His favourite race of the year, ‘Bling’ was not selected to ride the 2020 TDF with Team Sunweb, so will be particularly primed for this year’s race.
Miles Scotson
Age: 24
Team: Groupama-FDJ
Miles Scotson rides for French team Groupama-FDJ and will be making his Tour de France debut. Winner of Stage 1 of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana this year, Scotson is showing solid form and known as a dependable team man and reliable, all-day powerhouse.
Miles is former Aussie national champion, having stormed to solo victory at Buninyong in 2017.
Ben O’Connor
Age: 25
Team: AG2R Citroën
He finished 2nd on Stage 16 of the 2020 Giro d’Italia, then won Stage 17 the next day – Ben O’Connor has now switched from NTT to AG2R Citroen for at least 4-years.
A long way from Subiaco in Perth, Ben O’Connor is now the General Classification rider of a French team in his first Tour de France.
Simon Clarke
Age: 34
Team: Qhubeka Assos
Simon Clarke is one of the more experienced riders of Le Tour, and will be lining up as Road Captain for South African team Qhubeka Assos.
His 5th Tour de France, the race will be Clarke’s 15th Grand Tour and first for his new team.
Caleb Ewan
Age 25
Team: Lotto Soudal
Starting his third Tour de France, Caleb Ewan has amassed 5 TDF stage wins – two in 2019 and three in 2020.
Currently the world’s leading sprinter, all eyes will be on Ewan, who has said his season goal is to win a stage of each ‘21 Grand Tour. He nailed two stages in Italy and is hot favourite for more at Le Tour. Wins won’t come easy for Ewan, with several top sprinters also starting the race. These include two veterans in Andre Greipel and Mark Cavendish, older riders (36 & 38 respectively), but still proving they are in top-level form.
Harry Sweeny
Age: 22
Team: Lotto Soudal
At just 22yo Harry Sweeny is riding his debut Tour. One of Caleb Ewan’s trusted leadout riders, the young Queenslander will celebrate his 23rd birthday during the Tour. Riding with the likes of Ewan and leadout legend Roger Kluge, the 2021 is the opportunity of a lifetime for Sweeny.
