Luke Plapp Makes Triumphant Comeback with Stage 2 Victory at the Tour of Hellas
Arachova, Greece – April 2025 – After months off the bike due to a serious wrist injury, Australian cyclist Luke Plapp (Jayco–AlUla) stormed back into competitive racing with a commanding win on Stage 2 of the Tour of Hellas. The brutal climbing stage provided the perfect terrain for Plapp to assert his strength—and he seized the moment with determination, grit, and tactical brilliance.
A Race Tailor-Made for Plapp’s Climbing Legs
Stage 2 of the 2.1-ranked Tour of Hellas took the peloton into the rugged heart of central Greece with a grueling 177-kilometer route from Itea to Arachova. While the opening stage favored the sprinters, Thursday's profile flipped the script, offering the climbers their first real opportunity to shine. The day packed in a punishing 3,107 meters of elevation gain, culminating in a relentless 22km uphill finish to the ski town of Arachova—terrain that plays directly to Plapp’s strengths.
This is where Plapp made his decisive move. As the leaders of the day’s break began to falter on the upper slopes, Plapp surged with intent, catching the front group and pushing ahead. Only Ecuadorian Harold Martín López (XDS Astana) could respond.
Outclimbing the Competition in a Dramatic Duel
Despite the worsening weather, the race ignited in the final kilometers of the ascent. As the peloton fractured, Plapp and López broke free in a two-man duel toward the summit finish. The tension on the climb was palpable, but Plapp dug deep and ultimately distanced his rival, crossing the line solo to take a stunning comeback win.
Plapp’s Victory: A Powerful Statement After a Setback
After the race, an emotional Plapp reflected on the significance of the win, marking his first race back after injury.
“This win means a lot to me. The season started with a setback, which put me out of racing for a while,” said Plapp, who before the Tour of Hellas last raced in January at the Santos Tour Down Under.
“To take this win straight away in the first race after my comeback gives me a very good feeling and a lot of motivation for the rest of the Tour of Hellas and the other races ahead.”
Time Gap Keeps Plapp in Second Overall—For Now
Despite the triumph, the Aussie’s ambitions for the general classification remain just slightly out of reach—for the moment. A seven-second deficit from the flat Stage 1 meant that Plapp finished the day in second overall, just three seconds behind López.
“I'm satisfied for the win as well as the points and the mountain classification,” said Plapp. “There are still some stages to go, so hopefully we will see in the end of the week about the general classification.”
While Plapp now wears the mountains classification jersey, he’ll be keeping his sights set firmly on the yellow jersey in the coming stages.
A Career Milestone on European Soil
This win in Greece marked a major career milestone for Plapp—it was his first-ever victory in Europe. A multiple-time Australian National Champion, Plapp has dominated domestic roads in the green and gold jersey, but converting that success into a European win was the next frontier.
With his name now on the winners’ list in continental Europe, Plapp has opened a new chapter in his career—one with WorldTour leadership potential and Grand Tour ambitions.
Jayco–AlUla Reorganizes Around Their Returning Climber
The victory also reshapes the focus for the Jayco–AlUla team for the remainder of the Tour of Hellas. Originally entering the race with multiple objectives, the squad now pivots to support Plapp’s general classification bid.
Protecting Plapp, keeping him out of trouble on flatter stages, and helping him deliver a strong performance on the key GC days will be the priority.
A Look Ahead: Key Stages Still to Come in the Tour of Hellas
The five-stage Tour of Hellas is far from over. With three stages remaining, there are still opportunities for Plapp to overturn his three-second deficit and claim overall victory..
Stage 3 (Friday) – 152 km from Arachova to Karpenisi
The stage opens with a climb and then trends downhill toward the finish. It may favor opportunistic breakaway riders rather than GC contenders.
Stage 4 (Saturday) – 186 km of High-Altitude Warfare
This Queen Stage features 3,764 meters of elevation gain across three major climbs. The final summit ends 20 km from the line, but it's expected to shake up the GC standings dramatically.
Stage 5 (Sunday) – 146 km Flat Finale into Athens
The final day offers one last chance for the sprinters, though time bonuses could still play a decisive role in the final GC tally.
A Rain-Soaked Triumph with Greater Meaning
The conditions in Arachova were far from ideal. Sheets of rain greeted the riders on the final slopes—but that only seemed to harden Plapp’s resolve. It was the kind of gritty, gutsy performance that defines champions.
Plapp has also expressed his Grand Tour ambitions, and this performance only reinforces that he’s building toward something bigger in 2025.
Australia’s Next Grand Tour Hope Continues to Rise
With rising talents like Jai Hindley, Ben O’Connor, and Michael Storer, Australia’s next generation of stage race leaders is blossoming—and Luke Plapp is very much a part of that golden wave.
Closing Thoughts: The Comeback Is Only Beginning
This was more than just a stage win—it was a statement of intent. Plapp’s return to form after injury is a story of resilience, and the rest of the peloton has surely taken notice. Whether or not he ends this week in yellow, he’s already won in the eyes of cycling fans around the world.