With the Tour de France just around the corner, Team Jayco AlUla are hitting form at exactly the right time. And as their official tape supplier, we’ve been lucky enough to follow their journey from the treatment table to the top step of the podium.
Whether it’s Luke Plapp bursting onto the scene, Dylan Groenewegen doing what he does best in the sprints, or the soigneurs keeping the team patched up between stages, Jayco AlUla are a well-oiled machine and it’s been a proper privilege to play a small part in their season so far.
Here’s a look at what they've achieved, how they’re prepping for July, and where SPORTTAPE fits in behind the scenes.
JAYCO'S SEASON SO FAR
It’s already been a big year for Jayco AlUla, with some standout performances that have put them firmly on everyone’s radar heading into the Tour.
Luke Plapp kicked things off in style, grabbing a stage win at the Giro. A clear sign that he’s in form and ready to challenge again this summer. The Aussie has looked sharp and promising all season, mixing smart riding with trademark climbing legs.
On the sprint side, Dylan Groenewegen has been doing Dylan Groenewegen things, blistering speed and elbows-out finishes. He took a stage win for Team Jayco at the Saudi Tour and has been in the mix at just about every flat finish he’s lined up for.
At the recent Giro Italia, Team Jayco came away with two wins and five top 10 finishes making it a memorable trip this year.
From the season opener to the build-up races, Jayco AlUla have been stacking results, sharpening tactics, and quietly building something big.
ALL EYES ON JULY: TOUR DE FRANCE PREP
The Tour de France isn’t just another race, it’s the race. And Jayco AlUla are putting everything into getting it right. With a solid blend of experience, sprint power, and GC ambition, they’ll be heading to the start line in Lille with serious intent.
Expect to see the entire team leading the charge in the mountains, where they've already proved they can mix it with the best. Groenewegen will be hunting sprint stages, backed by one of the most dialled-in lead-out trains in the WorldTour. And don’t be surprised if Plapp finds a stage or two with his name on it, especially on those undulating profiles that suit his punchy style.
But success at the Tour isn’t just about legs. It’s about staying healthy, recovering fast, and having a bulletproof support system. Which is exactly what this Jayco squad has in spades.
BEHIND THE SCENES: THE SUPPORT CREW & THE ROLL OF TAPE
What you see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind every breakaway, sprint win, or brutal mountain stage is a team of physios, soigneurs (rider-support), mechanics and performance staff keeping the Jayco riders firing on all cylinders.
Taping plays a big role in that. Whether it’s pre-race support for knees and shoulders, post-stage recovery for overworked muscles, or managing the day-to-day niggles that come with 3,000+km of racing, Jayco AlUla’s medical team use our tape every single day during the Tour.
Our Kinesiology Tape is a go-to for helping reduce muscle fatigue and aid recovery. Our Zinc Oxide Tapes are used for joint support, particularly during those long transfers and back-to-back mountain stages. And when things get rough, it’s about being ready with fast, reliable taping that lasts.
As one of the Team Jayco's head physios, Richard Spink, explained after a crash during the Giro: "Three of our guys hit the deck, thankfully no bone trauma, just soft tissue. So, we've been using a lot of Kinesiology Tape on different areas. There was quite a lot of whiplash, so upper trapezius and off-loading the neck. And depending on the race, we get through a lot of Zinc Oxide Tape. Around the wrists, the fingers, the areas that need that additional scaffolding".
WHAT'S NEXT FOR TEAM JAYCO ALULA?
With momentum on their side and a well-balanced squad heading to the biggest race of the year, Jayco AlUla are shaping up to be one of the teams to watch this July.
One thing that always makes me chuckle, is that you'll regularly see Kinesiology Tape on the riders ears. Which, if you don't know the reason why, must look pretty strange. Just a small thin strip of tape around the ear. But, it's just to hold their ear-pieces in place, that they use throughout their races. Keep an eye out the next time you're watching.
From the outside, it’s easy to focus on Jayco's wins, but it’s the daily grind behind the scenes that makes the difference. All the little details that goes into the success. We’re proud to be part of that support system, helping keep the Jayco team moving with every sprint, summit, and sore muscle.
So, on that note, bring on the Tour. Jayco AlUla are ready.
(Massive thank you to Sprint Cycling for the amazing photography of the Jayco team📸)
