Luke Plapp and Kell O'Brien Set to Ride in the WorldTour
Breaking an Olympic world record together and bringing home bronze for Australia in the track team pursuit event in the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. TT and Track prodigy’s Luke Plapp and Kell O’Brien will now be leaving us at InForm TMX Make, to join the WorldTour for the 2022 season.
Recently considered “Top Contenders” by Australian Cycling Insider, to be the next Australian men to join the world tour. We can now confirm those rumours are in fact true. “As of the first of August, I will be a WorldTour professional, riding for the Ineos Grenadiers.” – Luke Plapp. Right alongside him, Kell O’Brien will be signing with Bike Exchange.
Luke Plapp
Will be signing with Team Ineos Grenadiers.
Ineos will provide Luke with an opportunity to develop his talents and in one of the most successful WorldTour teams in recent years. He will be alongside fellow Australian Richie Porte who played an important role in securing Luke’s contract after his performance in the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling. Luke has always been a valuable and enthusiastic rider, team founder Cameron McKimm wishes the rider luck, stating “Luke. It has been an incredible two years since you joined our team”.
Luke joined the podium potential track development team when he first began with InForm and “from there he has rapidly improved and had some amazing results. For Luke to sign with the biggest team in the world and be our first official rider to join a WorldTour team, it is incredible for us as a team and for Luke to progress” Cameron McKimm.
Ineos is a professional cycling team in England, competing in the UCI WorldTeam level. They are an extremely high regarded team and will suit Luke’s ability perfectly. In a recent interview conducted between Luke Plapp and Ride Media he exclaims “It’s pretty special to be a part of a team that big”. InForm TMX Make look forward to seeing Luke excel at such a high level. “It has been an amazing journey and we look forward to watching Luke’s improvement in his long future ahead” Cameron McKimm.
Kell O’Brien
Will be signing with Team Bike Exchange
Kell has been gaining attention over the past few years with an extensive list of results on both the road and track, but the 2021 National Championships is where he put in an incredibly strong ride and finished 2nd to Cameron Meyer (BikeExchange) and put the WorldTour teams on notice. “I used to race against Kell, he used to beat me in B grade when he was a young teenager. Kell is an awesome rider and incredible person. Kell has been talented and motivated enough that he has found his way and signed a contract with a great team ” Cameron McKimm.
Team Bike Exchange is an Australian men and women’s UCI WorldTour cycling team. In an interview conducted by Ride Media, earlier this year Kell exclaimed “I do have some people from various teams fighting for me” In the end Team Bike Exchange won the battle. This 2021 season has marked the 10th year in a row the team has been a part of the UCI WorldTour.
Formerly known as Greenedge, Team Bike Exchange has found itself as an eagerly watched team. “For Kell to be signing with Australia’s WorldTour Team, is exciting. He will fit in incredibly well and they will absolutely love him. Kell’s future is so bright, this is a great opportunity for him and we wish him all the best” Cam McKimm.
“It’s a dream come true to finally turn professional. Not only that, I get to ride for the “Aussie” Pro Team. I have grown up watching Team Bike Exchange on T.V.”
