When this season began for Chris Harper, in early January in Ballarat, there was little question he was the consummate loyal teammate as all the time however a supporting function that additionally included two runner–up positions on the Australian Highway Nationwide Championships invited an apparent query – is that this a yr that the 29-year-old might additionally take a few of the highlight for himself?
The rider from Adelaide has spent years burying himself for his teammates, first with Jumbo-Visma when he turned skilled in 2020 after which, from 2023, with Jayco-AlUla the place one in every of his key missions has been supporting Simon Yates on the Tour de France. That is not anticipated to alter, however different elements of his season could.
“My massive focus for the yr will in all probability be supporting Simon on the Tour once more, which is one thing I actually get pleasure from doing and am wanting ahead to doing,” Harper instructed Cyclingnews within the midst of the Australian season. “But in addition within the lead as much as the Tour there are in all probability alternatives to check myself, see how I can do.”
Harper had already, at that time, proven that he was removed from shying away from the help function, having made it clear early within the break of two with Luke Plapp on the street race on the Nationwide Championships that he could be working to ship a third title working to his new teammate, relatively than making an attempt to chase it himself. The robust efficiency, nevertheless, definitely made it clear that he’s a rider that has labored exhausting to construct towards a season the place he might be seen as formidable competitor on the high stage in his personal proper.
Not that Harper hasn’t tasted podiums or victory earlier than, it is simply that they largely got here within the yr earlier than he turned skilled, as that was a time the place his focus might be extra on his personal targets. Harper made it unequivocally clear that supporting “the most effective bike riders on the planet in Simon Yates” as he chases a Tour de France podium nonetheless remained key, however the indications are clear that it’s now time to as soon as once more take into consideration additionally chasing outcomes for himself, at some factors of the season at the very least.
That focus, for one, was evident within the clear effort Harper had put into enhancing his time trialing, evident as he got here second, once more to teammate Plapp, within the self-discipline on the Australian Championships.
“I believe I noticed by means of the yr that it was one thing necessary, particularly for myself, if there’s alternative all year long to see how I can go in a few of the stage races,” mentioned Harper. ” Usually there’s a time trial or a staff trial in there someplace so I believe I’d wish to make it a energy relatively than a weak point.”
His first alternative to do exactly that’s now opening up. After his Australian block, Harper took a break earlier than heading into the following a part of his season, presently underway at Paris-Good.
Tuesday’s stage 3 will ship a 26.9km staff time trial, which ought to begin carving out gaps on the GC, with Plapp and Harper outlined because the headliners for the Jayco-AlUla squad on the eight stage race which delivers a strong dose of climbing within the latter phases.
It’s going to be one of many first exams, in what Harper is hoping will likely be a run of steps up that builds by means of this season and into those forward.
“I undoubtedly wish to progress and see if I’m able to being a contender in these week lengthy stage races, one thing like Paris-Good and Catalunya – whether or not I may be aggressive or pushing to be on the rostrum in these races,” mentioned Harper in January when requested about his targets for the following couple of years. “Then from there if that’s going effectively, we have a look at different races – whether or not I can go to a Grand Tour and be useful to place stress on different groups, having one other actually robust man there with Simon.”
Past that, Harper additionally had a strong run in his season ending block of sooner or later racing in Italy in 2023, with a fifth at Coppa Agostoni and a high 20 at Il Lombardia, which has opened his eyes to the potential in that realm as effectively. Nonetheless, whether or not it’s at stage races, one-day races, as a valued domestique or contender in his personal proper, all of it boils down to 1 key pursuit.
“The principle factor is to simply hold progressing and see how good I can get,” concluded Harper.
