Mike O'Connor
The ProVelo 2026 Q Tour concluded with a weekend of high drama across Brisbane and Mt Mee, where Sophia Sammons and Oliver Bleddyn emerged as overall winners of the SBS Women’s League and Let’s Go Motorhomes Men’s League, respectively.
Across three stages, the racing delivered plenty of aggressive attacks, tactical battles, along with a sprinkling of challenging weather, to produce a fitting finale to the series.
Stage 1: Strong winds, aggressive racing
The tour opened on Friday under hot and windy conditions, setting the scene for a fast and aggressive first stage.
In the women’s field, League leader Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat) faced early pressure from Sophie Edwards (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing), who took every opportunity to claw back time in the standings.
Edwards capitalised on intermediate sprints and launched a powerful effort in the final straight.
Despite Sammons’ dominance earlier in the League, Edwards held her advantage to take the stage win over Amelie Sanders (Meridian Bikebug) and Belinda Bailey (NSTRMO x Attaquer x CCACHE), earning crucial bonus seconds for the overall standings.
In the men’s race, relentless attacks defined the day, with no breakaway able to stick until Dylan Proctor-Parker (RCA BikesOnline) briefly gained a ten-second advantage on the final lap.
He was ultimately swept back into the peloton, and the sprint concluded with Tom Cornish taking his second win of the PSL season, followed by Alistair Forsyth (VIS p/b K.O.M.P) and Kurt Eather (CCACHE X BODYWRAP).
Stage 2: Brisbane ramps up the intensity
Stage 2 continued on home roads in Brisbane on Saturday, with high tempo and aggressive racing.
In the women’s race, local teams Cobra9 x Leigh Surveyors and the Women’s Cycling Development Initiative p/b Balmoral were animated, but Butterfields Ziptrak Racing kept the peloton together to protect Sophie Edwards’ lead.
Edwards added more bonus seconds at intermediate sprints, maintaining pressure on Sammons. The stage finished in a head-to-head sprint between Team Redcat’s Keira Will and Meridian Bikebug’s Amelie Sanders, with Will claiming the stage win and Edwards taking third, consolidating her position in the overall standings.
The men’s race saw early breaks and multiple attacks, but a late crash forced a brief neutralisation.
After racing resumed, Team Brennan_ set up the finish for Tom Cornish, who crossed first but was relegated for contact, elevating Alistair Forsyth to his first PSL stage win and the race leader’s yellow jersey.
Stage 3: Mt Mee delivers chaos and triumph
The final stage on Mt Mee yesterday began in sunshine but soon turned wet and treacherous, reshaping the decisive races.
In the women’s race, Edwards started the day 20 seconds ahead of Sammons. Rain and a large crash shortened the stage by a lap, providing Sammons with the perfect opportunity to attack.
On the final climb, Sammons surged clear of the peloton and held her lead along the ridge to the finish, overturning the deficit and securing both the stage and the overall SBS Women’s League title. Kirsty Watts (Meridian Bikebug) and Neve Parslow (ARA Skip Capital) completed the stage podium.
The men’s race featured an early break by Lucas Stevenson (VIS p/b K.O.M.P), who collected maximum mountains points before being caught on the final lap.
Oliver Sims (Cobra9 x Leigh Surveyors) launched a decisive attack on the Mt Mee climb, powering to a solo stage victory. Behind, Levi Hone and Oliver Bleddyn (Team Brennan_) crossed together, with Bleddyn’s consistency securing him the overall Let’s Go Motorhomes Men’s League title for 2026.
Overall League Winners 2026
- SBS Women’s League: Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat)
- Let’s Go Motorhomes Men’s League: Oliver Bleddyn (Team Brennan_)
