The overall podium, three riders in the top 10 and a huge boost in confidence have been among the highlights for Australia’s under-23s at this week’s Tour de l’Avenir in France.
Talia Appleton led the results sheet for the ARA Australian Cycling Team, finishing third in the general classification of the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes – the world’s most prestigious stage race for under-23 cyclists.
Appleton, from Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club in the Victoria Alps, held her podium position from start to finish. She was third in the uphill prologue and, with the support of the team, made no mistakes over the subsequent rolling stages.
That set her up to soar in the mountains: on the split-stage final day, Appleton finished third in the road race and second on the uphill time trial. Both stages finished at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level at La Rosière.
Talia Appleton (left) finished on the overall podium.
“Heading into the final double day of racing in the Alps, I was ready to do everything I could to defend my position on GC,” Appleton said.
“To come third on a really tough queen stage after being solo for most of the day was incredible, and then to back up only a few hours later with second in the final uphill 10km TT felt even better!”
Western Australia’s Mackenzie Coupland (Midland Cycle Club) finished ninth overall, capping off a brilliant week where she also placed fourth on a stage.
As proof of her emerging talent, Appleton, who earlier this year focused on the ProVelo Super League, was bested only by two riders who already race for WorldTour teams: Canada’s Isabella Holmgren and France’s Marion Bunel.
Talia Appleton maintained her GC position from start to finish.
At just 19 years of age, Appleton also secured second in the young riders’ classification.
“It’s still sinking in and definitely a bit of a pinch me moment!” Appleton said. “To finish on the GC podium and have two Aussie women in the top 10 is super special.
“I was really targeting the opening prologue as I knew it suited my characteristics, but I was still a bit shocked to come third and find myself on the GC podium. I was really happy with that result and decided anything else throughout the rest of the week would just be a bonus, especially against so many riders with WorldTour and grand tour experience.”
The ARA Australian Cycling Team finished second overall in the team classification.
“Super lucky to have really great, experienced teammates around me throughout the four lumpy road stages. A result like this definitely wouldn’t have been possible without all of their support both on and off the bike,” Appleton said.
In the men’s Tour de l’Avenir, Luke Tuckwell (Bathurst Cycling Club) climbed his way to 10th overall after an impressive final day in the mountains. Having started the day in 19th place, Tuckwell did enough to add another top 10 to his name after being the runner-up at the Giro Next Gen earlier this year.
Melbourne’s Jack Ward, winner of the ProVelo Super League, also enjoyed a good Tour, spending three days near the top of the GC standings.
The Tour de l’Avenir, which translates to ‘Race of the Future’, has been a traditional proving ground for cycling’s next generation of talent. However, in modern times, many of the top riders have already secured professional contracts. This year’s men’s race was also won by a WorldTour rider, France’s Paul Seixas.
The next under-23 road event for the ARA Australian Cycling Team will be the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda three weeks’ time.
Australia's Fergus Browning in action during the men's Tour de l'Avenir.
2025 Tour de l’Avenir Femmes – General Classification
1. Isabella Holmgren (CAN) 13:23:22
2. Marion Bunel (FRA) +1:56
3. Talia Appleton (AUS) +4:06
…
9. Mackenzie Coupland (AUS) +12:33
19. Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (AUS) +17:10
43. Sophie Marr (AUS) +33:27
OTL. Alyssa Polites (AUS)
OTL. Alli Anderson (AUS)
2025 Tour de l’Avenir Men – General Classification
1. Paul Seixas (FRA) 18:51:01
2. Jarno Widar (BEL) +0:40
3. Jørgen Nordhagen (NOR) +0:44
…
10. Luke Tuckwell (AUS) +5:21
33. Jack Ward (AUS) +27:01
46. Fergus Browning (AUS) +35:48
48. Zac Marriage (AUS) +37:32
80. Jackson Medway (AUS) +55:05
106. Julian Baudry (AUS) +1:19:16
Photos: Tour de l'Avenir and Tour de l'Avenir Femmes. Cover photo (left to right): Talia Appleton, Sophie Marr, Alli Anderson.