SUCCESS AT SANTOS FESTIVAL OF CYCLING

Australian Cycling Team athletes celebrated at the Santos Festival of Cycling Tour, the opening event on the 2021 National Road Series.

Women's Recap

Gigante claimed an incredible and fully deserved overall Santos Festival of Cycling Tour victory with the 20-year-old's GC lead never in any doubt during the final-stage criterium raced in 41-degree temperatures in Adelaide.

“What a perfect week it really was,’’ Gigante said after back-to-back-stage wins set her up to propel her atop of the podium during Santos Festival of Cycling. “I’m not the best crit (criterium) rider but I wanted to repay them (my teammates) back for all the work they have done all week.

Gigante was fifth in the opening stage before launching to a GC lead of more than two minutes following a dominant solo victory on Stage 2.

Gigante again stole the show in Stage 3 with a second solo stage victory, more than one minute ahead of Lucy Kennedy.

On the final stage of the, Gigante took on the role of domestique for the day, making way for Garmin Team Australia teammate Georgia Baker to take the win.

Lucy Kennedy was second overall on GC and Podium Potential Academy member Ruby Roseman-Gannon was third.

WOMEN'S GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Sarah Gigante (AUS) 7h02:01
2. Lucy Kennedy (GEC) +3:12
3. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (ARA) +3:13

Men's Recap

Richie Porte, Sam Welsford and Luke Plapp claimed stage wins as Luke Durbridge’s secured the overall Tour GC honours.

Reigning Australian criterium champion Welsford won the final stage held in sweltering conditions.

“Pretty solid for the last couple of laps and teammate Richie (Porte) went to the front and pulled one big turn,’’ Welsford said. “That last straight was a drag race, we had one shot at it and that was it. To see Richie pulling for me at the front I never expected that."

Rising star Plapp won Stage 2, before finishing second Porte on the infamous Willunga Stage. Plapp finished the Tour second on GC and took home the Tour's Young Rider's classification.

MEN'S GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Luke Durbridge (BEX) 8h10:59
2. Luke Plapp (AUS) +2:00
3. Chris Harper (CTV) +2:31