Sam Welsford signs two-year deal with Jayco AlUla

Australian sprinter Sam Welsford has signed a two-year contract with Team Jayco AlUla, set to begin in 2027. Welsford will leave Netcompany INEOS after just one year, breaking his existing contract to return to his home country's WorldTeam.

An Olympic gold medalist in the men’s team pursuit from the Paris Games, Welsford is a specialist in both track and road sprinting. He has achieved significant success at the Tour Down Under, securing seven stage wins there. Jayco AlUla’s head of performance, Gene Bates, noted that the team has been close to signing Welsford in the past and views him as a key investment for their 2027 and 2028 projects.

In a separate roster move, Jayco AlUla has also secured the signature of Olympic champion Oliver Bleddyn. Bleddyn will join the WorldTour squad for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, transitioning his focus from track racing to professional road racing.