Lucas Plapp

Biography

Lucas ‘Luke’ Plapp's journey in the world of cycling began at the tender age of 12 when he took up the sport to stay fit for cricket and football. A standout at Brunswick Cycling Club, his early potential was recognized by Cycling Australia's Podium Potential Academy.

In 2018, a twist of fate saw Lucas step in for an injured teammate at the Junior World Championships. Rising to the occasion, he secured dual gold in the points race and madison, alongside a bronze in the team pursuit, celebrating his triumphs in his now-beloved rainbow jersey.

Transitioning to elite competitions, Lucas continued to strengthen his reputation, winning gold in the team pursuit at the Track Cycling World Cup in 2019 and individually excelling with a silver in the individual pursuit.

His break into the Australian Cycling Team came in 2020 where he played a pivotal role in their fourth-place team pursuit finish at the World Championships. The same year, he claimed victory in the time trial at the National U23 Road Championships, solidifying his status as a versatile cyclist.

As the youngest member of Australia's men's team pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Lucas showcased exceptional resilience and skill, helping his team secure a bronze medal after a series of dramatic events.

2021 was a landmark year for Lucas as he clinched the elite time trial national championship and later added the elite road race national championship to his accolades in 2022. His burgeoning career saw him debut in the prestigious WorldTour at the UAE Tour.

Versatility was a hallmark of his career, as demonstrated at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he earned bronze in the team pursuit and finished as the highest-placed Australian in the road race.

In 2023, Lucas continued to build on his success, winning another Australian road race title and finishing second overall in the UAE Tour. He made history in January 2024 by clinching his third consecutive Australian road race championship and his second career time trial title. His strong showing at Paris-Nice and performance in the Giro d’Italia underscored his growing prominence in the international cycling arena.