Young Australian Hamish McKenzie makes injury-delayed step up to WorldTour with Jayco-AlUla

Australian Hamish McKenzie will make a year-delayed transfer into the WorldTour in 2026, stepping up from Hagens Berman Jayco to Jayco-AlUla.

McKenzie, 21, signed for Hagens Berman Jayco firstly of 2024 and was on account of step as much as the WorldTour squad in 2025, however spent an extra yr at improvement degree owing to an damage.

In 2026, nonetheless, the Australian will lastly make the transfer, becoming a member of the WorldTour crew from January.

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“Hamish is considered one of our long-term initiatives, he’s an enormous expertise and we’re delighted to see him making the step up into the WorldTour subsequent season,” Jayco sporting supervisor Gene Bates mentioned.

“The plan was all the time for him to spend a while with Axel Merckx and our improvement setup earlier than graduating to the professional ranks with us.

“Sadly, he had an damage that meant the transfer was delayed by a yr, however we consider he’s proved that he’s prepared after his performances this season and we’re trying ahead to serving to him develop additional.”

McKenzie’s 2025 season centred round a gradual programme of European stage races, racking up a stable 40 race days and loads of racing expertise, if not many stand-out outcomes.

A excessive level of his season got here in September when he completed tenth within the under-23 time trial on the Street World Championships in Rwanda, confirming his readiness for the following step.

He has already had two tastes of driving for the WorldTour crew, having raced alongside his future teammates on the CRO Race and Tour of Hellas, and expressed his pleasure at making the everlasting transfer after an additional yr of racing.

“I’m actually proud and excited to be stepping as much as the WorldTour with Staff Jayco-AlUla. It’s a crew that really values improvement, teamwork, and creating alternatives for youthful riders like myself,” he mentioned.

“I’ve watched and admired this crew for years, and I’m extremely grateful for the belief they’ve proven in me main up so far. I’m trying ahead to studying from riders I’ve all the time seemed as much as, in addition to working with the superb help workers. I can’t wait to get caught in and kick off my season in Australia in January!”

McKenzie’s compatriot Wil Holmes signed for Hagens Berman Jayco on the similar time in 2024 and was slated to maneuver as much as the WorldTour in 2026. Nonetheless, the 19-year-old has additionally delayed his transfer and can spend an extra yr at under-23 degree. He is slated for a two-year contract with Jayco AlUla beginning in 2027.

Jayco-AlUla’s roster for 2026 now stands at 27 riders out of the utmost of 30.