It was a daring move. An attack up the first climb, less than 15km into the 127km race.
But it was a move that paid off for Tasmania's Nicole Frain, who clinched the inaugural Oceania gravel title at RADL GRVL in South Australia on Friday.
The 2025 UCI Gravel World Series winner expected she would have company when she attacked so early in the race, but when she found herself solo she continued on and set her own tempo, gradually extending her lead over the rest of the field.
Frain eventually crossed the line with a three-minute gap to the peloton to take the RADL GRVL win and the Oceania title.
“I just tried to strategise between the flats and the climbs," Frain said.
"I thought, I climbed away from them, so I’m obviously going well on the climbs, so just keep doing what you’re doing. When I started hearing gaps then I knew I didn’t have to bury myself like crazy."
Oceania Elite Women’s Podium
- Nicole FRAIN (AUS) 4:02:32
- Tiffany CROMWELL (AUS) 4:13:34
- Samara SHEPPARD (NZL) 4:14:02
Oceania Elite Men’s Podium
- Cameron JONES (NZL) 3:31:01
- Mark O'BRIEN (AUS) 3:31:51
- Brent REES (AUS) 3:32:48
RADL GRVL Pro Women's Podium
- Nicole FRAIN (AUS) 4:02:32
- Melisa ROLLINS (USA) 4:05:36
- Tiffany CROMWELL (AUS) 4:13:34
RADL GRVL Pro Men's Podium
- Romain BARDET (FRA) 3:30:07
- Cameron JONES (NZL) 3:31:01
- Alexey VERMEULEN (USA) 3:31:49