Three of Liv AlUla Jayco’s brightest young prospects will join the WorldTour in 2026, as Mackenzie Coupland, Noä Jansen and Matilde Vitillo are confirmed to step up from the team’s Continental set-up. All three riders have signed two-year contracts and will race with the WorldTeam through to the end of 2027.
Their promotion marks a successful outcome for the GreenEDGE development pathway, which has seen the trio integrated gradually into the WorldTeam environment over the past two seasons. The process has allowed them to gain experience at elite level and forge relationships with senior teammates ahead of their full-time move.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyBreakthroughs in 2025 seal the deal
Each rider has shown meaningful progress this year, with Italian rider Matilde Vitillo making the most eye-catching statement. Her solo victory at the Giro dell’Appennino Donne in June marked her first elite win and gave a strong indication that she’s ready for the next step.
“The step up to the WorldTeam means a lot to me. This was everything I ever dreamed of, and to be able to achieve this with this team and these amazing people around me is truly the best thing I could ever have wished for,” Vitillo said. “I have started to approach racing in a different way and now have a completely different view on things that determine performance.”
Dutch rider Noä Jansen, now 24, has consistently impressed in French 1.1 races this spring, most notably taking 4th at La Classique Morbihan. She credits the Continental programme for shaping her into a more complete rider.
“Before, cycling was my sport; now cycling is my life,” Jansen explained. “That professional attitude has been instilled in me the past two seasons. I’ve already ridden with the WorldTeam a few times, so I know a little of what to expect, but doing it for a whole season will be something else.”
Australia’s Mackenzie Coupland, still just 19, is the youngest of the trio. She finished 6th at the national time trial championships in January and has made steady gains in Europe throughout the year. Coming from a smaller city in Australia, she sees the jump to the WorldTour as a significant milestone in her progression.
“Transitioning to the WorldTeam is an exciting opportunity for me,” Coupland said. “The experience has been invaluable. I’m eager to take on the challenges of the WorldTour and showcase my development.”
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyA pathway proving its worth
The success of these three riders is further proof of Liv AlUla Jayco’s investment in its Continental team structure. The gap between development and elite level can often be stark, but the system in place at GreenEDGE has helped to smooth that transition. Key to this has been access to the same bikes, kit and equipment as the WorldTeam, alongside mentoring and occasional racing opportunities with the senior squad.
General Manager Gene Bates was clear about the team’s long-term vision. “They’ve developed really well within our Women’s Continental Team over the past two years and particularly this year we’re seeing some big step ups. Not only in their physical abilities but also their race strategy,” he said. “That’s the purpose of the Continental Team and the pathway – to give younger riders the opportunity to grow and see them move into the WorldTeam.”
As 2025 enters its final months, Coupland, Jansen and Vitillo are expected to continue racing a mix of Continental and occasional elite events to further refine their skills before making the full leap in January. For all three, 2026 will mark the start of a new chapter – one shaped by promise, preparation and plenty of potential.
Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
