Premier stage race returns to Tasmania

After a three-year absence, Tasmania’s premier stage race will return to the National Road Series (NRS) next month.

From November 23–27, the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour will close out the 2022 NRS for men, women and under-19 riders.

The five-day event is expected to attract 120 riders from Australia’s best domestic men’s and women’s teams as they battle for the title of NRS champion.

“After a few difficult years for everyone, it’s fantastic to see the return of the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour,” said race director Scott McGrory.

“This event has always been seen as the ‘grand final’ of the National Road Series, finishing the season with its hardest and most prestigious tour.”

The men's peloton of the National Road Series races down a road with a large mountain in the background during the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour. Some of the riders are crouched low on their bicycles in a now-banned 'supertuck' position.

Last time the Tour of Tasmania was held, the supertuck was still legal.

Full stage details have not yet been released, but the Tour of Tasmania typically features a challenging parcours with numerous selective climbs.

This year’s race will take place wholly in North West Tasmania. It will start with a prologue in Launceston and finish with a criterium in Devonport.

The road stages will run from George Town to Grindewald; Longford to Poatina; and Spreyton to Sheffield respectively, with the latter stage altered after the original route to Riana became unusable due to road damage.

Event director Justin Lane said the race is “a key springboard for Aussie riders to break into the European scene, which is important for the growth of elite cycling in Australia.”

The women's National Road Series peloton climbs a mountain with a spectacular valley view below them during the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour.

One of the Tour's challenging and beautiful roads.

With a history dating back to 1930, the Tour’s impressive honour roll includes legendary cyclists Cadel Evans and Richie Porte. It was last held in 2019 and won by Dylan Sunderland and Sarah Gigante.

“The Tour brings Australia’s best cyclists to Tasmania to test their skills on some of the most challenging and exhilarating cycling routes in Australia,” Lane said.

“This is why … past champions have gone on to become some of Australia’s most successful road cyclists.”

For the first time in its 92-year history, the Tour will include an under-19 category. Junior riders will race alongside the elites to conclude the inaugural National Junior 19 Road Series.

“The U19 category creates a wonderful pathway for our next generation of riders to develop through,” McGrory said.

“There’s no better place for bike racing than Tasmania, and we’re all excited to get stuck into the action.”

For the event schedule and entries, visit the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour website.