A new era for Australian cycling has begun with the ProVelo Super League (PSL) getting underway in Adelaide.
In 2025, the PSL replaces Australia’s National Road Series (NRS) as the highest level of domestic racing in Australia, with riders competing for the chance to earn a development contract with the GreenEdge organisation.
SA Kick It was the first round of the six-race series and was held over three days to coincide with the Santos Tour Down Under. Here’s a quick run down of how the stages unfolded.
Stage 1
The opening stage was an individual time trial up Willunga Hill, held on the morning of the women’s Tour Down Under stage that finished atop the iconic climb.
Talia Appleton (Praties) won the women’s race with a time of 8:35 for the 3 km climb, two seconds clear of Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields), with Sophia Sammons (Praties) another two seconds back in third.
In the men’s event, Ronan Teese (Bendigo & District Cycling Club) set the early best time and turned that into victory, his time of 6:51 being just 12 seconds behind Richie Porte’s Strava KOM. Jack Ward (Brennan) was only one second behind, and Finlay Walsh (Ccache-Bodywrap) was third at four seconds.
Stage 2
Stage 2 saw the riders head to Victoria Park for a criterium held in scorching conditions. Sophie Marr (Praties) took out the women’s race with a well-timed early sprint, ahead of Odette Lynch (Butterfields), and Amelie Sanders (ARA-Skip Capital). Appleton retained her overall lead.
In the men’s race it was Blake Agnoletto (Brennan) who took the sprint victory, ahead of Josh Duffy (TIS), and Graeme Frislie (Ccache-Bodywrap). After his second place a day earlier, Jack Ward moved up into the overall lead ahead of the final day of racing.
Stage 3
The third and final stage of SA Kick It was a road race held at The Bend Motorsport Park 100 km south-east of Adelaide. The women’s race ended with a bunch sprint and was won by Odette Lynch (Butterfields) ahead of stage 2 winner Sophie Marr and Sze Wing Lee (Hong Kong). Appleton held on to claim the race overall, and lead the PSL into the second round.
The men’s race saw two riders get clear of the bunch and hold an advantage all the way to the finish. Brendon Davids (Brennan) beat Tynan Shannon (Royal Bikes) in the two-up sprint for stage honours, with stage 2 winner Blake Agnoletto taking third in the bunch behind. Davids went on to win the race overall.
Here’s how the individual leaderboards look with one round of the PSL now complete.
What’s next?
The six-round ProVelo Super League continues with the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic on February 8 (men) and February 9 (women).
Did we do a good job with this story?