Team AlUla Jayco has already secured two wins in Spain this early spring and is now aiming to continue their Spanish conquests at Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Del Sol, taking place from February 14-18. US rider Lawson Craddock, who is making his season debut, will be the driving force behind the team’s efforts to support GC (General Classification) endeavors of Alessandro De Marchi.
For Craddock, this year marks the beginning of his 14th professional season and 11th at the WorldTour level. The 31-year-old Texan has showcased his versatility in stage racing for Team Giant and EF Education before joining Jayco in 2022. Despite being labeled as a support rider, Craddock remains composed, stating that his motivation does not stem from crossing the finish line first, but from playing a crucial role within the team.
Describing his role, Craddock told Cyclingnews from his home in Texas before commencing his third season with Jayco AlUla in Spain, “The team considers me to be part of their engine room, which is a group of guys that the team will put into really any kind of race or situation. Itโs kind of the group of guys that do the grunt work, the dirty work, you know, riding the front, spending a lot of time in the wind, being there late for the leaders.”
He added, “The team definitely puts a lot of emphasis on that group of riders, and the guys that we consider the engine room have a lot of fun, working for each other. We’re really fortunate that we’re on a team that has such great leaders. We have guys that can win across any stage, really. Whether you’re the leader or part of the engine room, that role is appreciated from top to bottom.”
Craddock pointed out the success of his teammates this year, with Dylan Groenewegen and Michael Matthews securing victories in Spain, and Simon Yates and Caleb Ewan also achieving wins, demonstrating the team’s overall strength and versatility.
This marks Craddock’s first participation in the five-day stage race in southern Spain, an event known for its challenging terrain, which provides an early-season test for riders and serves as preparation for the upcoming Classics. Last year, Tadej Pogaฤar emerged as the overall winner, and this year, his teammates Tim Wellens and Juan Ayuso are looking to lead UAE Team Emirates to success.
The 2024 Ruta Del Sol will commence with a hilly stage in the province of Granada between Almuรฑecar and Cadiar, followed by an uphill finish in Alcaudete on stage 2 across cobblestones. The subsequent three stages will cover just over 160km each, with flatter terrain suitable for bunch finishes.
For Craddock, the focus is on assessing his fitness and supporting his teammates once again. He expressed his dedication, stating, “Most of my program is based around being around guys who can win races. I want to be a part of success, and that’s kind of what’s important to me, and what drives me.”
Looking ahead, Craddock emphasized his simple objectives for the year, “Just be reliable and be consistent throughout the entire spring, and then hopefully be there for a couple of stage wins during the Tour.”
While Craddock has experienced success in Grand Tours, including podium finishes and stage wins, his primary goal remains to support his teammates and contribute to the team’s overall success. He expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Tour de France and highlighted the significance of being part of a team with strong leadership and a supportive environment.
In his third year with the team, Craddock expressed his contentment, stating, “I’m in a great spot. The team has a lot of belief in me and a lot of faith in my abilities. They’ve also given me a lot of reasons to believe in myself. So that’s been really big. And that didn’t necessarily exist in the past.”