There will be some notable absences among the Australian contingent lining up to take on the men’s Tour de France this year. They range from Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla) who needed to step out of competition after showing signs of a pulmonary embolism to the injured Red Bull- Bora-Hansgrohe duo of Sam Welsford and Jai Hindley but even then the 2025 edition is particularly strong on reasons for the nation’s cycling fans to keep their eyes open for the late nights of viewing.
There are ten Australians expected to line up in Lille, according to the preliminary start list, with a wide range of roles and stage styles within their sights. The time-zone and geographically challenged nation – in cycling terms at least – last year had an unusually low tally of starters at six and, equally unusually, missed out on delivering a stage win, but in 2025 is once again punching well above its weight. Only fans from France, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy have more compatriots to cheer on.
