Nicola Rutzou
The hotly contested Grafton to Inverell race took place over the weekend and served as the fifth stage of the ProVelo Super League (PSL). First held in 1961, it has a reputation for its difficult terrain and gruelling distance.
Women’s Mt Mitchell to Inverell Classic
The Mt Mitchell to Inverell Classic kicked off under clear skies, with several riders eager to secure a place in the early breakaway. A group of six managed to break clear, including two riders from Praties Cycling Team and one each from Butterfields Ziptrak Racing Team, Meridian Blue, Women’s Cycling Development Initiative, and Cycling Development Foundation.
With representation from all the major teams, the breakaway quickly established a significant gap. Butterfields Ziptrak Racing then moved to the front of the peloton, working to control the gap for their highest-placed rider in the League, Alli Anderson.
Despite the peloton’s efforts, the gap remained too wide. Attacks began from the break, with the youngest rider, Tully Schweitzer (Praties Cycling Team), using her team’s numerical advantage to put pressure on the others while her teammate, Gina Ricardo, stayed protected.
As Schweitzer was caught, the group set up for the sprint. Ricardo, who had appeared strongest in the break, timed her effort perfectly after an early sprint from Rachael Wales (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) to take a dominant win in Inverell.
1. Gina Ricardo (Praties Cycling Team)
2. Rachael Wales (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
3. Rhylee Akeroyd (Meridian Blue Cycling Team)
Men’s Grafton to Inverell
There were 64 riders on the start line in Grafton, with a particular focus on the battle between the Butterfields Ziptrak Racing Team and Team Brennan. Brennan was looking to defend the lead of League leader Jack Ward, who was absent for Round 5, while Butterfields Ziptrak Racing aimed to capitalise on this opportunity to close the gap to the overall lead.
An aggressive start saw a breakaway of nine riders quickly establish a significant lead, with Brennan’s Brendon Davids driving the pace. The peloton began to reel in the gap following the iconic ascent of the Gibraltar Range, while Lindon Milostic (Team Rauland) attacked off the front of the breakaway.
A select group bridged across to the leaders and immediately began attacking. This formed a lead group of five, including Will Cooper (St George Continental), Zac Marriage, and three Team Brennan riders.
In the final stages, Brennan launched a decisive attack with Brendon Davids, forcing Marriage to close the gap and drag fast finisher Tristan Saunders to the line. Saunders then launched off the back of Marriage, opening the gap and securing the victory in Inverell ahead of Marriage and teammate Brendon Davids.
1. Tristan Saunders (Team Brennan p/b TP32)
2. Zac Marriage (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
3. Brendon Davids (Team Brennan)
After the five rounds of the PSL, the individual league leaderboards are:
Women’s Individual Classification
1. Sophie MARR Praties Cycling Team 496 pt
2. Talia APPLETON Praties Cycling Team 423 pt
3. Alli ANDERSON Butterfields Ziptrak Racing 342 pt
Men’s Individual Classification
1. Jack WARD Team Brennan 381 pt
2. Zachary Marriage Butterfields Ziptrak Racing 338 pt
3. Brendon Davids Team Brennan 293 pt
