Mike O'Connor
The Northern Rivers hosted two memorable editions of arguably Australia’s toughest one-day classics today, with riders tackling punishing conditions and long, selective courses in both the Men’s Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell and the Women’s Kennards Hire Mt Mitchell to Inverell races.
Men’s – Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell
The 228-kilometre men’s race, first held in 1961, lived up to its brutal reputation. Relentless attacks from the start shattered the field and sent the previous course record tumbling.
Team Brennan_ were among the main instigators, repeatedly forcing the pace to thin the peloton and set up a more manageable finale.
Defending champion Tristan Saunders (Team Brennan_) launched the longest move of the day, staying clear for roughly 40 kilometres from Glen Innes to Wire Gully before being brought back as the decisive phase of the race took shape.
While Brennan_ succeeded in breaking up the peloton, the aggressive tactics left them with fewer riders to contest the final kilometres.
By the time the race reached Elsmore with 15 kilometres remaining, attrition had reduced the group to the strongest climbers. Finlay Walsh (CCACHE x BODYWRAP) and Lindon Milostic (Team Rauland) emerged on the final climb, breaking clear together.
Behind them, Levi Hone (Team Brennan_) and rising West Australian Jeremy Smith (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) tried in vain to close the gap.
Walsh held his nerve in the sprint, taking a decisive victory ahead of Milostic, who matched his father Peter’s best-ever result at Inverell.
Smith outsprinted Hone for third, marking himself as one to watch after a stellar performance.
Men’s Podium – Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell
🥇 Finlay Walsh – CCACHE x BODYWRAP
🥈 Lindon Milostic – Team Rauland
🥉 Jeremy Smith – Butterfields Ziptrak Racing
Women’s – Kennards Hire Mt Mitchell to Inverell
The women faced cold conditions, but the racing was just as fierce, with attacks coming from the very first kilometre as riders jostled for position in the early break.
By the time a breakaway formed with 100 kilometres remaining, New Zealand U23 time trial champion Kirsty Watts (Meridian Bikebug) had gone clear, just ahead of compatriot Maria Laurie, riding as an individual.
Watts rode a masterful solo effort, steadily increasing her lead and at one point stretching it beyond seven minutes, averaging a remarkable 42 km/h over the long journey to Inverell. Behind her, the peloton shifted focus to contesting the remaining podium positions.
A trio including League leader Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat), Belinda Bailey (NSTRMO x Attaquer x CCACHE), and Keely Bennett (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) broke away to fight for third.
Watts held on to claim a memorable victory after more than 100 kilometres alone at the front. Laurie secured second, while Bennett won the sprint from the chasing trio to complete the podium.
Women’s Podium – Kennards Hire Mt Mitchell to Inverell
🥇 Kirsty Watts – Meridian Bikebug
🥈 Maria Laurie – Canterbury Track Cycling
🥉 Keely Bennett – Butterfields Ziptrak Racing
