Jess Allen, after announcing her retirement from professional cycling at the end of last season, is set to embark on a new chapter with the GreenEDGE Cycling family in 2024. At 30 years old, Allen will be transitioning into roles as a press officer for Team Jayco AlUla and Liv AlUla Jayco, as well as serving as a sports director for the elite women’s team and the new Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team.
Allen expressed her enthusiasm about remaining within the GreenEDGE family, albeit in a different capacity. She looks forward to utilising her experience as a rider in her new roles, enjoying the team environment, and still being part of the cycling world. Her decision to retire from racing wasn’t immediate; it evolved, with the idea first sparking during the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Seeing her peers transition to roles outside of racing-inspired her to consider a similar path.
Initially, Allen hadn’t planned on retiring so soon, but the prospect of a new challenge in communications excited her more than racing. Her first assignment as a press officer will be at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, where she’ll manage both men’s and women’s teams.
The additional role of sports director came later but presented an irresistible opportunity. Allen will start this role with the UAE Tour Women in February, a decision fuelled by her successful application for a scholarship and subsequent training in Switzerland.
Alongside her commitments with GreenEDGE, Allen is also set to mentor young Australian riders with AusCycling, a role that will commence at the women’s Santos Tour Down Under. This role includes leading the U19 Women in Europe and at the world championships in September. Balancing these responsibilities with her duties at GreenEDGE, Allen is excited to help junior cyclists, drawing on her own experiences as a former junior world champion and her first ventures into Europe.
