The ARA Australian Cycling Team has completed a successful edition of the Santos Tour Down Under, landing top-10 results and podium visits while showcasing our young talent on the world stage.
As Australia’s only WorldTour stage race, the Tour Down Under is a rare opportunity for developing and domestic riders to make an impression on the pro peloton through the participation of the national team.
The ARA Australian Cycling Team for the women's Tour Down Under.
In the women’s race, the ARA Australian Cycling Team fielded the four youngest competitors, all 18 years old. Tully Schweitzer landed the quartet’s best overall result with 7th in the young riders classification.
“Three days of sunburnt Adelaide roads, brutal climbs, the legs asking WHY and the mind telling me to battle on!” Schweitzer posted on social media.
Tully Schweitzer finished 7th in the young riders classification.
“But what made this race truly special was the people … Seeing my family and friends on the roads pulls something extra out you when you think the tank is empty.
“This race reminded me exactly why I love this sport so, so much ... Being one of the youngest in the pelo, I have a lot of take aways, learnings and was eye opening to watch what it takes to compete at this level.”
Sophie Edwards earned a top-10 stage result and was the best South Australian rider.
Queenslander Amelie Sanders was not alone in being forced to abandon the Tour, but was able to sprint to 10th place in the following one-day race.
“A once-in-a-lifetime experience to pin on the numbers in a WorldTour race after just stepping out of U19s,” Sanders wrote on social media.
“So many learnings and cool moments I’ll never forget. Although not much went my way this week it was an awesome opportunity to see the team achieve great things. A bonus was a top 10 for me in the one-day race after a fast and tough race.”
The ARA Australian Cycling Team for the men's race.
In the men’s event, Oliver Bleddyn, Liam Walsh and national champion Pat Eddy each earned top-10 stage finishes throughout the race.
Emerging riders Lucas Stevenson – by far the youngest in the race at age 18 – and Matthew Greenwood both captured attention in the breakaways. The latter earned the most competitive prize on a scorching hot Stage 4 in Willunga, which was modified due to extreme heat and fire risk.
Lucas Stevenson impressed in the Stage 2 breakaway.
Senior riders Sophie Edwards and Chris Harper both secured visits to the final podiums as the best South Australian riders in the general classification. Harper (16th) and Bleddyn (19th) both finished in the top 20 overall.
The men's Tour Down Under was won by Canberra's Jay Vine for the second time in his career, while the women's Tour Down Under was won by Switzerland's Noemi Rüegg.
Chris Harper, finishing 16th, was the best South Australian overall.
Top results – ARA Australian Cycling Team
- 8th – Women’s Stage 1 – Sophie Edwards
- 7th – Women’s Young Rider – Tully Schweitzer
- 1st – Women’s Best South Australian – Sophie Edwards
- 10th – Women’s One-Day Race – Amelie Sanders
- 9th – Men’s Prologue – Oliver Bleddyn
- 6th – Men’s Stage 1 – Liam Walsh
- Most Competitive – Men’s Stage 4 – Matthew Greenwood
- 6th – Men’s Stage 5 – Patrick Eddy
- 1st – Men’s Best South Australian – Chris Harper
Photos: Craig Render (RCpix.com)