Luke Durbridge, Lucas Hamilton, and Callum Scottson have each signed two-year contract extensions with Bike Exchange Jayco.
"It was very important for us to re-sign these three Australian riders, Durbridge, Hamilton and Scottson. They have all proven themselves to be important members of the team, both on and off the bike, and are hard-working teammates, as well as having their own results. Each of these three riders has different strengths and is a versatile rider who is very well respected on this team," said Brent Copeland, the team's general manager. [Durbridge was one of the first riders to join GreenEdge Cycling and has been here since its inception. Hamilton and Scottson are still young and we believe there is still a lot of potential left in both of them."
Bike Exchange Jayco also announced the signing of Filippo Zana, Chris Harper, Felix Engelhardt, Ingvild Gorsken, and Elmer Reinders. The team also signed Letizia Paternoster and extended the contract of Urska Zigato for two seasons.
Durbridge, 31, has been with the team since 2012, and before that was with Continental team Jayco Skins for two seasons; by the end of 2024 he will have competed 13 seasons on the World Tour. A four-time elite time trial champion in Australia, his ability to power through the front of the pack has made him an important domestique over the years, including eight Tour de France appearances.
"Team Bike Exchange Jayco continues to strengthen, change, and get stronger with the addition of Groenewegen to the sprint team. I look forward to continuing to be part of the team's success in sprints, time trials, and Grand Tours," Durbridge said. I have big ambitions for the next two years," Durbridge said.
The 26-year-old Hamilton turned pro with BikeExchange-Jayco in 2017 and has been given the opportunity to test himself as a supported overall class rider the past few seasons, finishing fourth in Paris-Nice in 2021. He also finished 13th in the 2022 Giro d'Italia. He started this race as the support rider for Simon Yates, who retired on stage 17 due to a lingering knee problem after a crash. Hamilton, who will also support Yates at the Vuelta a EspaƱa, is expected to play a role in the team's goal of success in Grand Tours and mountain stage races.
"I am really happy to rejoin Team Bike Exchange Jayco for the next two years. I've been with the team since I was an under-23 rider and I'm keen to continue progressing in the overall classification of the Grand Tours. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but I'm really looking forward to what we can do together in the next couple of years with this team and with the support of this team," Hamilton said.
The 26-year-old Scottson will join the team in 2018 and will be a force on the flat to assist in sprint finishes, while also being a strong climber and looking to support the team in the Grand Tours.
"For the past four years the team has trusted me and helped me to keep improving. More recently, I've been happy to support the team in big races like this year's Giro d'Italia. If I can also find some personal success in the process, I'll be really happy," said Scottson.
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