Staff Writers & Contributed
ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast have pretty well made a clean sweep of the 2022 National Road Series with major victories in several top categories.
The recent Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour was the final race of the ’22 NRS with ARA Pro Racing riders enjoying stage wins, several podium places, jerseys, and the overall series victory.
Kane Richards and Dani De Francesco topped the series GC ladder and Will Eaves won the Santini Junior 19 National Road Series.
Often a springboard to the WorldTour, the National Road Series has propelled many Aussie top-tier professionals forward. This year’s winners were grateful for the experience and proud of the work they’ve put in through the year.
Kane Richards thanked ARA Pro Racing teammates and staff saying ‘22 was his best year yet.
“It has really topped off what has been my most successful year to date, the NRS wasn’t always on my radar. But after winning Gippsland I knew that it was possible,” he said.
“We have been working towards it for the second half of the year and I’m thankful that the team had the trust in me to get points for myself and the series but also ride to get results for the team at the same time,” Kane added.
Dani De Francesco Wins Women’s NRS
Celebrating her outstanding racing season and inaugural NRS win, Dani De Francesco said it been “an incredible year.”
“With ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast I’ve been constantly learning and growing stronger as a rider through each race as the season progressed,” she said.
“This result has been a big team effort, I couldn’t have achieved it without them backing be through the series. With multiple stage wins and taking out the overall team’s classification, just shows how strong the girls are, and how well we have worked together all year.” Dani added.
“A massive thank you to the team managers and support crew, working so hard for us behind the scenes. Grateful to have been part of such a supportive team and looking forward to new challenges in 2023!”
‘An Incredible Year’ Matt Wilson
Australian Cycling Academy CEO Matt Wilson said 2022 was the team’s best season yet and congratulated all the riders and wider team.
“The tour of Tasmania capped off what’s been an incredible year for the Australian Cycling Academy winning the National Road Series for the men and the women plus U19 men as well,” he said.
“Having victories in Europe, in Asia and obviously a fantastic year here in Australia as well it’s been a tremendous year and I am really looking forward to springboarding on to next season and seeing what we can achieve,” he concluded.
The 2023 National Road Series kicks off at the Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat from January 6 to 10.
