EF Education-Nippo road and gravel racer Lachlan Morton has revealed that he plans to participate in "something like a big ultra" in July. I don't think I'm allowed to talk about it yet, but it's kind of a return to early cycling and I'm really looking forward to it," he told Cycling News before the start of the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné in Langeac."

"I don't know when it will be announced, but it's definitely going to be cool. It's one of the very hardest things to do, so I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it."

The Australian said he has struggled to balance his road and off-road goals this season due to ongoing health constraints.

"Just figuring out which races are going to be held where was tough. Logistically, being in Europe and having to jump continents is not as easy as it generally is," Lachlan said. Under normal circumstances, Lachlan would have competed in the Unbound Gravel event in Kansas this weekend instead of racing in France.

"It's bigger than the last time I participated, and it's a shame I won't be there this weekend, but I'll definitely be there next year. As for the Dauphiné, "I'm looking forward to doing this race just the same," he said. We are not a gravel team or a road team. We just go where we are needed."

After the Dauphiné, Morton will continue his road program with the Route d'Occitanie and Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge. After that he is looking forward to returning to the off-road scene.

"I love these races, but they are very intense; I can endure them for a month or two at a time, but soon I will be ready for something different," he said.

Following the "ultra thing" in July, he plans to participate in the Leadville and Steamboat gravel races, as well as the Cape Epic at the end of the season. He said, "It's really cool to see the gravel scene exploding, and I'm excited to be a part of it. In many ways it's like going back to the early days of racing, and I hope they keep it that way without being too professional. I hope the riders don't change their approach too much and keep it old-school."