Luke Plapp couldn't have started 2024 off on a better path when he won the dual Australian titles in January but the smooth sailing didn't continue. Crashes at important junctures and illness curtailed the run, but the 23-year-old is far from discouraged as even with the obstacles, the progress continued.
In the first four months of the year there was a sixth overall at Paris-Nice and a second on stage 4 of the race plus a Tour de Romandie stage podium to add to the national titles he scooped up in January. Then at his Giro d'Italia debut in May there was a targeted day in the white jersey, a stage podium and three other finishes within the top seven despite the rider being stymied by illness during the second Grand Tour of his career.
