No Tour Down Under for Jay Vine . The Australian will not defend the title won in 2023 in the home race that will open the cycling and fantasy cycling season.

“I will do the Giro and Vuelta again - Vine told Cyclingnews - so I will have to race until September if I respect this racing plan, so we have decided not to go to Australia and not to participate in the National Championships and the Tour Down Under”.

Last year, the UAE Team Emirates rider remained in the pits due to an injury that affected the first part of the season. So, this season, he decided to change his strategy: “Last year I didn't do any of the races I was aiming for before the Giro, I went directly after the injury, but this year I want to be able to compete in Europe, so we have decided that the Tour Down Under is not feasible.  

At the end of the day, recovering so quickly is not possible. I'm not as good as Tadej (Pogačar). Maybe he can win Lombardy and do the same the following February with an effort of 7 Watts per kilo, I can't do it."

A decision that puts fantasy managers in difficulty , which for Down Under has proven to be a certainty, but for the rest of the season, at the moment, it remains a gamble. Reflect…

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency