Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy chase continued development at Tour de lAvenir

Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy head in to the 2016 Tour de l'Avenir, starting August 20, with stage success and continued development the main goal.

The biggest under 23 race on the calendar has been a successful one for the team with Rob Power and Jack Haig finishing second overall the last two years, and Caleb Ewan, Campbell Flakemore, Jay McCarthy and Michael Hepburn all tasting stage success.

Michael Storer and Jai Hindley headline the squad fresh from victories at Gran Premio Sportivi di Poggiana and GP Capodarco respectively in the last week.

Under 23 National Championship silver medallist Lucas Hamilton who played a key role in Hindley's win before finishing fourth will be looking to unleash his climbing abilities in the high mountains.

Nick Schultz brings experience to the young squad, having supported Haig to his second place finish overall and will captain the team on the road.

Former junior track world champion Daniel Fitter, who returns from illness will be chasing opportunities in the sprints.

Rounding out the six-man squad is Samuel Jenner who has committed himself throughout the season to supporting team objectives and is again expected to be vital to the teams success.

"The team in general is in good shape, good spirits and working hard together since regrouping in mid-July to be as well prepared as they can for such a hard tour," said Jayco World Tour Academy Director Sportif James Victor.

"This would be the most difficult parcours I've seen on paper and our recon. exercise confirmed this," Victor added. "The guys were excited to realise what lies ahead for the week and where they can show their strengths."

For Victor the focus for the team is about development with four of the six rider team in their first year as a under U23 in Europe.

"I've highlighted to the group that we take GC off the table from day one and work towards daily goals, piecing together consistency over the week, being diligent with their post-stage recovery and rest and ideally be challenging for some tough stage results in the last three days.

"It will be a great test of character for all of these young guys, although racing in the same age category they have probably another season of experience to gain to really target GC from day one."

With riders capable of performing across the terrain offered there are opportunities for the team to develop as a group as well as individual opportunities.

"We have Lucas, Michael and Jai continuing their recent one-day racing form and eager to test their climbing legs with the worlds best u23s," Victor said.

"Nicholas has had some solid racing with Orica-BikeExchange recently and will play a major role in guiding this young group towards the end of a tough week in the French Alps.

"Samuel and Daniel are not noted climbers but will look for opportunities early in the Tour and aim to gain as much experience as possible for their future development.

The opening three stages offer something for the fast men with sprint finishes expected even with some climbing through the stage. Stage four should prove the first major general classification shake up with a 16.5 kilometre undulating individual time trial.

Stage five is the second shortest of the road stages at just 97.8 kilometres but with the races first uphill finish at Les Carroz-d'Arâches it will be eagerly awaited by the climbers.

Three back to back stages in the big mountains to finish the race will see the pure climbs at the fore. Stage six starts climbing almost from the start and features three category two climbs before the final 17.8 kilometre ascent to Tignes.

The penultimate stage has over 40 kilometres of climbing in a relatively short 120.4 kilometre stage. Again climbing from the start with the Col de l'Iseran, but it is the fourth and final climb of the day to Valmeinier that will decide the stage.

At 72 kilometres the eighth and final stage is the shortest road stage but it is far from a procession. A flat opening 15 kilometres before the La Toussuire - Les Sybelles climb (17.2km at 5.9% average). Over the top riders get some respite for around 15 kilometres on the descent but the final 20 kilometres are all uphill. The final 13.2 kilometre climb to Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves with an average gradient above six percent will challenge the field right to the finish.

Source: Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy chase continued development at Tour de lAvenir