Bold claim: Team Jayco AlUla is reshaping its lineup with fresh Australian talent while quietly handling a high-profile Belgian transfer. That dual update will be the focus when the team opens up to media on December 5, detailing ambitions for 2026 and event schedules. A standout topic will be the newly confirmed signing of Hamish McKenzie, with another Belgian arrival kept under wraps for now.
“Hamish is a long-term project for us, a major talent we’re excited to watch move up to the World Tour next season,” said team sporting manager Gene Bates in a team-issued press release. “The plan has always been for him to spend time with Axel Merckx and our development program before transitioning to the pro ranks. A recent injury delayed that move by a year, but his performances this season show he’s ready, and we’re eager to support his continued growth.”
McKenzie, 21, arrives after two seasons with Hagens Berman Jayco, a squad now closely connected to Team Jayco AlUla. He has already trained with the elite squad and demonstrated notable versatility as both a time trialist and a rouleur. His standout result to date is a third-place finish in the under-23 time trial at the World Championships in 2023, with Lorenzo Milesi and Alec Segaert finishing ahead of him—both of whom are now competing at the World Tour level.
“I’m incredibly proud and excited to elevate to the WorldTour with Team Jayco AlUla,” McKenzie remarked. “This is a squad that truly prioritizes development, teamwork, and opportunities for younger riders like myself. I’ve admired the team for years, and I’m grateful for the trust they’ve shown. I’m eager to learn from riders I’ve long admired and to collaborate with the outstanding support staff. January can’t come fast enough as I kick off the season in Australia.”
A mystery signing appears to be in the works
The team currently lists 27 riders in their roster, with indications that the total will be at least 28. Reports place Intermarché–Wanty’s Dries De Pooter at the Australian training camp in Altea, per journalist Daniel Benson, though his name has not yet been formally announced by Jayco AlUla.
De Pooter is among the three Intermarché–Wanty riders who earned a win this season and is among those leaving due to the Intermarché–Lotto merger. Biniam Girmay has already departed to NSN Cycling Team, while Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe confirmed the signing of sprinter Arne Marit this Thursday amid 2026 roster movements.
Would you like this rewritten piece tailored for a specific publication style (news brief, feature, or press-release tone) or adjusted to emphasize a particular angle (development pathway, transfer market dynamics, or team strategy for 2026)? Also, should the Belgian signing be kept unnamed in the draft or revealed with a placeholder for future confirmation?
