More signings are to come as the team fills out its thin roster.
Michael Matthews returned from a health scare this summer with solid end-of-season rides, including at Il Lombardia (Photo: Chris Auld)
Updated November 3, 2025 01:38PM
Team Jayco-AlUla has bounced back from a scare about its ongoing existence by re-signing one of the standout riders in the team’s history. Ten-time grand tour stage winner Michael Matthews has inked a new two year contract with the team, re-upping after what was a challenging season.
He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in June and was forced to miss the Tour de France, but now has been given a show of faith by the team.
The announcement is an important one: as of now, Jayco-AlUla has just 21 riders confirmed for 2026, well short of the maximum permitted 30 riders.
A team spokesperson told Velo Monday that there will be more “signings and re-signings” announced in the weeks ahead.
Matthews is the big news for now, and both he and the team will breathe a sigh of relief after what looked like a possible end of the project.
“I’m super happy, I think after the problems I had during the summer this year it made me appreciate the team, my life, the way it is and the last years I’ve had in cycling,” Matthews said in a team announcement on Monday.
“I still feel like I’m 25 years old, so I’m excited to continue this journey with Team Jayco AlUla and my own cycling career.”
Almost the end of the adventure
Michael Matthews in action in Il Lombardia. His team went close to folding in recent weeks but the issue has been resolved. (Photo: Chris Auld)
Initial signs of trouble surfaced when the team missed the first UCI deadline of October 15 for WorldTour application. Both Jayco-AlUla and women’s team Liv-AlUla-Jayco didn’t submit the necessary bank guarantees and paperwork.
Speaking to Daniel Benson last week, general manager Brent Copeland revealed how serious things were.
“We came pretty close to not having a team for next year,” he said on Friday.
“It was a matter of a few days. I think that the UCI have been very supportive, because they wouldn’t want us to fold, but it was close for us. A few more days, and it would have been over,” he said.
He said that delays with partner contracts were responsible for the initial issue, and that new deals were only finalized in recent days.
“Gerry [team owner Gerry Ryan] is still very committed, but at the end of the day, the budgets in the WorldTour are always increasing, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to be competitive with the top teams and keep the teams alive. Our budget stays the same, for the men and the women,” Copeland said.
Matthews has won some very big races in the past, including four stages at the Tour de France, and three each at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. He showed fine form at times this year, including fifth in the Amstel Gold Race and a win in Eschborn-Frankfurt, but his pulmonary embolism ruined his ambition of taking a stage in the Tour.
Still, he is back to health again and talking up his chances.
“I really feel like I’m getting better and better, so I’m really looking forward to another two years with the team and seeing what we can achieve together,” he said Monday. “Hopefully I can achieve those goals that I’ve been looking for in my career along with the team. I’m just really excited to see what these next two years bring and just appreciate every moment.”
‘A true professional’
Matthews is very good friends with Tadej Pogačar, with both riders often training together (Photo: Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images)
Copeland told Benson that contracts are now in place until the end of 2028, securing the future of the team. However the budget discrepancies compared to the top squads will be a concern, and so having a successful 2026 will be important to boosting the odds of additional deals.
It will help if Matthews is back to full strength next year.
“Michael has proven time and time again what he’s capable of in the biggest races and we’re happy to see him continue with us next season,” Copeland said.
“He’s had a difficult 2025 season, as we know, but the way he has returned to racing and the dedication he has shown to get back to the top proves what type of rider he is. He’s a true professional and an asset to the team. He still has some big goals in the sport and we’re looking forward to working with him and achieving them together.”
What will be important is seeing who else the team announces in the weeks ahead. Just 21 riders are officially listed thus far for the men’s squad, but Copeland said that 26 contracts are in place. He suggested 29 riders as the likely final number.
Ben O’Connor will be there and, like Matthews, will be hoping for a bigger 2026. Last year’s Vuelta runner-up didn’t have the Tour he had hoped for, taking 11th overall, although his campaign was saved by a fine solo win on stage 18.
Eddie Dunbar, Chris Harper and Dylan Groenewegen are amongst those leaving.
There is still no announcement as to who will replace Matt White, the longstanding head DS who abruptly left the team in May. He had plenty of experience but Ryan said it was time to change course.
White was recently named as co-head of the racing department at Team Movistar.