Caleb Ewan to Headline Australian National Team
One of the world’s fastest sprinters will compete for the Australian National Team at the Santos Tour Down Under, with AusCycling confirming Caleb Ewan’s inclusion in the event today.
Among his 60 professional victories, Ewan is a nine-time stage winner at the Santos Tour Down Under and has claimed five stage wins in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
The Australian National Team traditionally consists of a mix of promising domestic riders and professional riders whose teams are not participating in the Santos Tour Down Under.
Riding alongside Ewan in the men’s Australian National Team will be Lotto-Dstny teammate Jarrad Drizners, and Commonwealth Games team pursuit medallists Conor Leahy, Graeme Frislie, and James Moriarty.
Ewan and Drizners will ride in the green and gold after their professional team Lotto-Dstny elected to forego UCI WorldTour invitations following their relegation from the top-18 teams for the 2023 season.
As winner of the men’s teams classification in the 2022 National Road Series, Team BridgeLane were awarded two positions on the team, filled by Cycle Sunshine Coast winner Zac Marriage and Liam Walsh.
The women’s team features 2022 national road champion Nicole Frain, UCI World Championship silver medallist Rachel Neylan, and Oceania road champion Josie Talbot.
AusCycling developing athletes Alli Anderson, Haylee Fuller, and Anya Louw have also been selected to the women’s team.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady said Ewan will be an exciting inclusion for fans.
“Caleb has developed a strong following at the Santos Tour Down Under, thanks to his sprinting prowess and ability to mastermind victories at high speed,” O’Grady said.
“He was a standout in 2020, including a breathtaking win on Stage Two into Stirling and claiming his fourth Schwalbe Classic, and he will be in the mix again this year, particular on Ziptrak® Men's Stage 1 in the Barossa and THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 4 in Willunga.
“The Women’s team has a great mix of established talent like Nicole and Rachel, mixed with some of the most exciting emerging riders in the country.
“The Australian National Teams at the Santos Tour Down Under have a reputation of showcasing the next crop of Australian super stars and while riders like Caleb will grab headlines, cycling fans will have their eye on some of the exciting under 23 talent in these teams.”
