Plapp, racing the TCR Advanced SL race bike that was unveiled to the public one day earlier, made his move on the penultimate climb of the 183km stage from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mont Bruilly. His new race machine also included the newly released CADEX Max 40 WheelSystem. Plapp and other riders from the team helped test and refine the new 10th generation TCR, which features a lighter, more efficient and aerodynamic frameset compared to the previous generation.
On a typically cold, damp day at Paris-Nice, Plapp, wearing his Australian national champion’s green-and-gold jersey, played it perfectly to seize the overall lead. Near the end of a tough day of racing, the 23-year-old launched an uphill attack on the Col du Fût d’Avenas, drawing Colombian climber Santiago Buitrago with him to form a two-man break.
The duo worked together to create a 40-second gap on the chasers as they hit the final 3km climb up Mont Brouilly. Buitrago was able to go clear on the upper ramps of the climb, but Plapp paced himself perfectly to finish second and take over the GC lead.
“I really tried to race that last climb like a time trial and race it to the line, and I think that gave me the best time possible rather than if I raced it and then blew up,” said Plapp, who wore the Giant Rev Pro helmet to earn the result. “I was at the back a bit today, but the boys got me up there when it mattered. I’m blown away by how it unfolded.”
Plapp said taking the leader’s jersey adds to a solid team effort so far in this important early-season WorldTour race. “It’s been a nice start and hopefully we will have a sprint stage for Dylan [Groenewegen],” he said. “We have such a diverse team here that every day we’re here to win, whether it is a sprint stage, the TTT yesterday, or today.”
Looking ahead, Plapp said the team will continue to look for more opportunities. “We’ll look towards the sprint tomorrow and then we’ll think about the weekend,” he said. “This is more than I ever could have imagined and anything else now is a bonus. We’ll just take it day by day.”
Plapp Races New TCR to Paris-Nice GC Lead!
Wednesday, 6 March 2024
Teams/Riders
Team Jayco AlUla rider Luke Plapp seized the yellow leader’s jersey at Paris-Nice, riding his new Giant TCR Advanced SL bike to second place on Stage 4 to take over the general classification at the eight-day stage race in France.
Plapp traded his green-and-gold Australian national champion's jersey for the yellow Paris-Nice race leader's jersey. @sprintcycling photo
The Australian launched an attack on the penultimate climb. @sprintcycling photo
Plapp drew out Colombian climber Santiago Buitrago with his attack, and the two worked together to get a gap going into the final climb. Cor Vos photo
Racing in cold, wet conditions, the team worked well together to set up Plapp to make his move. @sprintcycling photo
The team celebrated at the line and will continue to seek out more opportunities in the days ahead. @sprintcycling photo
