ProVelo Super League: Gina Ricardo claims sprint win at Mt Mitchell to Inverell from the breakaway

Gina Ricardo (Praties Cycling) has won the 2025 Squadron Energy Mt Mitchell to Inverell Cycle Classic, sprinting clear of her breakaway companions on the long and straight finishing stretch.

Ricardo escaped in the day's early breakaway among a group of six containing teammate Tully Schweitzer, Rachael Wales (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing), Rhylee Akeroyd (Meridian Blue Cycling p/b 99 Bikes), Abby McLain (Women's Cycling Development Foundation p/b Balmoral CC) and Miriam Sinnerbrink (Cycling Development Foundation).

That group soon became five when Sinnerbrink drifted back to the peloton, where the motivation to chase down the breakaway was low due to the teams represented at the front of the race.

The breakaway quickly established a significant gap and Butterfields Ziptrak Racing then moved to the front of the peloton, working to control the gap for their highest-placed rider in the SBS Women's ProVelo Super League, Alli Anderson, who was sitting third overall and in need of points to close the gap to leader Sophie Marr and Talia Appleton (both Praties Cycling).

Despite Butterfields Ziptrak Racing's efforts, the breakaway's advantage remained too large.

Up front, attacks began to come from the break, with 17-year-old Schweitzer using her team’s numerical advantage to put pressure on the others with an attack over Wire Gully while her teammate Ricardo followed the chasing wheels of their rivals.

As Schweitzer was caught, the group set up for the sprint. Ricardo, who had appeared strongest in the break, timed her effort perfectly after an early sprint from Rachael Wales (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) to take a dominant win in Inverell.

Wales finished second ahead of Akeroyd in third.

"It's pretty special, it's such a classic on the calendar and it's really special to get my name up on the board," Ricardo said.

Results: Squadron Energy Mt Mitchell to Inverell Cycle Classic

1. Gina Ricardo (Praties Cycling) 2h53:15
2. Rachael Wales (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) +0
3. Rhylee Akeroyd (Meridian Blue Cycling p/b 99 Bikes) +0

SBS Women’s ProVelo Super League – Standings after Round 5

1. Sophie Marr (Praties Cycling) 496 points
2. Talia Appleton (Praties Cycling) 423 points
3. Alli Anderson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) 342 points

Feature image: Con Chronis / ProVelo Super League