Armidale’s Sam Jenner has been selected by Cycling Australia as part of a nine-rider U23 Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team for the 2016 season that will be based in Belgium for the next 14 weeks. The program includes 27 days of international racing focusing on northern Europe including Nations Cup events, one day and stage races and additional Belgium national races.

The Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team has seen Rohan Dennis, Michael Matthews and Caleb Ewan progress through its ranks in recent seasons.

“The northern European program through spring provides more quality racing and opportunities for a young group of Australian talent to adapt to a higher level of road competition and ultimately transfer their ambitions to professional careers,” explained team’s sports director James Victor.

“The gap between under 23 and World Tour level has grown significantly and the tougher northern style of racing will accelerate the exposure and demands of this ruthless sport.”

The first 14-weeks of the season will see the squad race Gent-Wevelgem/Kattekoers-Ieper (1.NCup), Le Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux (2.2), Ronde van Vlaanderen Beloften (1.NCup), La Côte Picarde (1.NCup), April – ZLM-Roompot tour (2.NCup), Le Tour de Bretagne Cycliste (2.2), Paris-Arras Tour (2.2) and An Post Rás (2.2). Following the northern European block of racing, the team will shift its focus to races such as  where Rob Power and Jack Haig finished second overall in the past two editions.

Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team: Ben O’Connor (WA), Lucas Hamilton (VIC), Michael Storer (WA), Callum Scotson (SA), Daniel Fitter (QLD), Rohan Wight (SA), Samuel Jenner (NSW), Jai Hindley (WA) and Alistair Donohoe (VIC).