Keely Bennett leads Team BridgeLane sweep at Tour of Gippsland

Keely Bennett has won the Tour of Gippsland overall, spearheading a podium lockout for Team BridgeLane alongside Katelyn Nicholson and Lillee Pollock.

In a remarkably consistent performance, Bennett won the opening road stage and was the runner-up on each subsequent stage. With the GC win, Bennett also took the overall victory in the AusCycling National Road Series.

The Melburnian opened her account with the stage win on Wednesday’s Stage 1, a 75-kilometre road race on the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit. Bennett proved the fastest in the bunch sprint after a dangerous eight-rider breakaway was brought back.

She had to settle for the runner-up spot, however, on Thursday’s Stage 2, an 8.9-kilometre individual time trial on the GP circuit. Instead, it was teammate Katelyn Nicholson was who best against the clock, repeating her breakthrough win in the same stage last year. Bennett finished just 20 seconds behind to remain in the GC hunt.

Stage 3 took place on Thursday afternoon with a 71-kilometre road race, again on the motorsport circuit, but in reverse. This time, ARA Skip Capital prevailed, leading out 19-year-old youngster Sophie Marr for the sprint win. Bennett was runner-up again, but the bonuses put her level on time with Nicholson.

Friday’s Stage 4 criterium in Rhyll would decide the Tour overall. When Nicholson began setting the pace at the head of the peloton, it was clear that she was willing to sacrifice her own GC position for Team BridgeLane’s broader goals.

That proved crucial in the intermediate sprint, when Lillee Pollock (Team BridgeLane) took three seconds to claim third place outright ahead of Sophia Sammons (Cycling Development Foundation). Bennett also gained a bonus second, edging her past Nicholson into the overall lead.

In the finale, ARA Skip Capital led out for Lucie Fityus, but Odette Lynch (Butterfields Racing Team) – who had placed third in the two previous road stages – surged past to claim her first NRS win.

Bennett was second again, and her consistent riding earned her the yellow jersey of Tour of Gippsland winner. Nicholson lost time behind the bunch but did enough to secure the runner-up spot.

Benett said she had not expected to win the race overall.

“I’m not a pure time trialist, so I was kind of a bit worried in the time trial that I wouldn’t be able to keep GC within reach,” Bennett said. “I was super relieved when I got second to my teammate. We were pretty happy with the one-two position for GC.

“I know I can race the crit well. I thought I could have a shot at the GC, but if not, I was happy for my teammate to win as well.”

It’s been an excellent year for the 21-year-old, who started by winning the under-23 women’s criterium national championship in Ballarat. She is studying a Bachelor of Communications at university and plans to take a break from racing next year to complete her degree.

“I probably owe most of my success to my coach, Nick Owen, whose put heaps of time and effort into making sure I’m doing the right training and consistent training. I’ve really been enjoying riding my bike, which follows with good results,” Bennett said.

“I didn’t expect that going into this race. I didn’t even think about the under-23 title, let alone leading the NRS series.”

The women's and men's Tour of Gippsland, won by Graeme Frislie, close out the season before the AusCycling National Road Series makes way for the new ProVelo Super League next year.

Results – 2024 Tour of Gippsland – NRS Women

1. Keely BENNETT (Team BridgeLane) 5h04:18    
2. Katelyn NICHOLSON (Team BridgeLane) +23  
3. Lillee POLLOCK (Team BridgeLane) +35             
4. Odette LYNCH (Butterfields Racing Team) +36
5. Sophia SAMMONS (Cycling Development Foundation) +39

Photos: Tour of Gippsland / Australia Cycling Photography