ProVelo Super League: Nicholson, Agnoletto win on Warrnambool weekend

Blake Agnoletto and Katelyn Nicholson have triumphed in Round 2 of the ProVelo Super League, winning the marquee men’s and women’s races at the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival.

In the men’s Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool on Saturday, Agnoletto (Team Brennan p/b TP32) outsprinted a select lead group after 266 windswept kilometres.

Crosswinds along the Great Ocean Road thinned out the peloton, bringing the pre-race favourites to the fore.

The race came down to an elite group containing the three past winners: Mark O’Brien (Trappist), Tristan Saunders (Team Brennan p/b TP32), and Cameron Scott (CCACHE X BODYWRAP), together with Agnoletto and Hamish McKenzie.

O’Brien launched the first of many attacks in the final 12km – with McKenzie, Saunders and Agnoletto also trying to get away from the fast-finishing Scott – but it all stayed together to the finish.

Saunders led out the sprint on Raglan Parade. When Agnoletto launched from the front, he could not be matched, and crossed the line celebrating a commanding win for Team Brennan.

“As a team, we wanted this win so bad,” said Agnoletto in the post-race interview. “We got it done. Just the most amazing team ride all day. Boys were riding the front or following moves, it was just an A-grade race from us.

“Once Tristan got onto the front with 2km to go, I was just like, prep, calm down, and the sprint seemed to happen. I thought I was going to cramp, but no, I got it done, and I just can’t believe it.

“I can’t believe it. What a day. What a team, what a day.”

In the Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic on Sunday, Oceania champion Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) soloed to victory after a long-range attack.

Praties Cycling Team had taken control of the 156-kilometre race from Colac to Warrnambool , reducing the field through the crosswinds to a key selection of about 20 riders.

But when Nicholson broke free inside the final 50km, nobody could follow. Frankie Hall (Praties Cycling Team) and Josephine Pepper (Duda Cycling) took off in pursuit, but the peloton sat up, allowing Nicholson to extend her lead to 2:30, with Hall and Pepper 20 seconds behind.

Using her time-trialling prowess, Nicholson held the chasers at bay to secure a comfortable solo win. She raised her arms aloft on Raglan Parade, finishing 47 seconds clear of Hall, with Pepper another minute behind.

“Absolutely unbelievable. I’ve got not words, honestly. The team performed absolutely perfectly,” Nicholson said in the post-race interview.

“I don’t think you ever feel safe until you cross the line. I knew the girls were only 20, 25 seconds back and there were two of them. Just doing a measured effort, trust yourself and your training, and try to pull it off for the team.

“I think it’s absolutely incredible to win the Warrny. It’s such a huge race and so much prestige. To win it for our team, Butterfields Ziptrak Racing, it’s just incredible. So happy.”

Agnoletto climbs to the top of men’s leaderboard in the ProVelo Super League, while Nicholson moves to just one point behind the women’s leader, Talia Appleton (Praties Cycling Team).

The next round will be the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour on February 21−23.

Results

Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic

1. Blake Agnoletto (Team Brennan p/b TP32) 6:19:29
2. Cameron Scott (CCACHE X BODYWRAP) +0
3. Hamish McKenzie +0

Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic

1. Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) 3:51:37
2. Frankie Hall (Praties Cycling Team) +47
3. Josephine Pepper (Duda Cycling) +1:38

Overall standings after Round 2

Sumup Men's League

1. Blake Agnoletto (Team Brennan p/b TP32) 200pts
2. Jack Ward (Team Brennan p/b TP32) 176pts
3. Brendon Davids (Team Brennan p/b TP32) 166pts

SBS Women's League

1. Talia Appleton (Praties Cycling Team) 217pts
2. Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) 216pts
3. Frankie Hall (Praties Cycling Team) 150pts

 For full results and video highlights, visit the ProVelo Super League website.

Photos: Con Chronis / ProVelo Super League