Mike O'Connor
Cold and foggy conditions greeted riders in Kangaloon for stage three of the ProVelo Harbour City GP over the weekend, with rain bringing with it plenty of challenges over the demanding 25km circuit.
SBS Women’s League
Odette Lynch (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) began the day in the yellow jersey, but with four laps of the challenging circuit ahead her team remained cautious in defence of the overall lead.
The race was animated early by Isla Bradbury (NSTRMO x Attaquer x CCACHE), who attacked at the end of the opening lap.
Over the following 50km she steadily increased her advantage, building a maximum lead of three minutes and 30 seconds.
Behind, Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat) worked to reduce the gap and limit Bradbury’s threat to the overall classification. Butterfields Ziptrak Racing’s Sophie Edwards stayed close to Sammons, aware that a small group finish could favour her chances.
As Bradbury began to tire late in the race, Sammons, now joined by team-mate Tully Schweitzer, lifted the pace alongside Edwards. The trio brought Bradbury back with around 10 kilometres remaining.
With both the stage victory and overall title on the line, Edwards delivered in the final sprint to take the stage win and secure the overall victory after a demanding day in the saddle.
The result moves Edwards to within five points of Sammons in the SBS Women’s League standings ahead of next week’s Mt Mitchell to Inverell Classic.
HARBOUR CITY GP STAGE 3 WOMEN’S RESULTS
- Sophie Edwards | Butterfields Ziptrak Racing
- Sophia Sammons | Team Redcat
- Isla Bradbury | NSTRMO x Attaquer x CCACHE
Let’s Go Motorhomes Men’s League
The men’s race began under cloudy skies but mostly dry roads, setting the scene for an aggressive opening.
After a series of early attacks, Lucas Stevenson (VIS p/b K.O.M.P), Ollie Sims (Cobra9 x Leigh Surveyors) and Finlay Walsh (CCACHE x BODYWRAP) established the day’s first breakaway and gained an advantage of around one minute.
The peloton soon split behind them, with a group of 13 riders bridging across to the leaders. Once united, the front group extended their advantage to more than three minutes over the main field.
Notably absent from the selection were the top three riders in the overall standings at the start of the day. Pat Eddy (Team Brennan_), Oscar Gallagher and Kurt Eather (CCACHE x BODYWRAP) were all caught behind.
Despite several attacks within the lead group, the race ultimately came down to a sprint. Will Heffernan (Randwick Botany Cycling Club) launched early out of the final corner with Olympic gold medallist Oliver Bleddyn on his wheel.
Bleddyn could not come around the fast-finishing Heffernan, who powered to an emphatic stage victory.
Despite this, Bleddyn’s second place, combined with the bonus seconds collected during the stage, was enough to move him into the overall lead. He will carry the League leader’s jersey into next week’s Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell.
HARBOUR CITY GP STAGE 3 LET’S GO MEN’S RESULTS
- William Heffernan | Randwick Botany Cycling Club
- Oliver Bleddyn | Team Brennan_
- Brayden Bloch | Pinnacle Performance x Royal Bikes
