Photographs by Beardy McBeard and UCI GWS
Talia Appleton and Brendan Johnston took home the gold medal this weekend at the UCI Championships in Tasmania: the Devil's Cardigan.
Johnston broke away from the runner-up, Tasman Nankervis, before the halfway point of the 106 km course, and finished with a lead of 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Nankervis crossed the finish line in second place, while Scott Bowden completed the podium. The current national champion, Mark O'Brien, was fourth, and Sam Fox rounded out the top 5. Johnston’s average speed was 31.1 km/h.
Top 5 men
- Brendan Johnston – 3:24:12
- Tasman Nankervis – 3:27:22
- Scott Bowden – 3:28:21
- Mark O'Brien – 3:28:32
- Sam Fox – 3:32:44
The women's elite race had a similar development, with Talia Appleton escaping from the first stages alongside the current national champion, Tiffany CromwellAppleton managed to open a gap and won by 4 minutes and 10 seconds over Cromwell. Holly Harris completed the podium, finishing 25 minutes behind the winner. Appleton recorded an average speed of 26.1 km/h. Ella Bloor and Karen Hill closed the top 5.
Top 5 female
- Talia Appleton – 4:03:15
- Tiffany Cromwell – 4:07:25
- Holly Harris – 4:28:33
- Ella Bloor – 4:34:35
- Karen Hill – 4:49:04