Launceston, Tasmania – Cameron Ivory of the Launceston Mountain Bike Club and Ruby Taylor of Team Redcat emerged victorious in the opening time trial of the 2026 Hertz ProVelo Super League’s Tour of Tasmania on Thursday. The event, a short and sharp 0.6km climb up Brisbane Street West in Launceston, kicked off the second round of the six-stage series.
For 18-year-old Taylor, the win was particularly noteworthy given a recent health setback. She delayed her arrival in Tasmania due to a cold earlier in the week, but demonstrated remarkable resilience to claim the top spot in the women’s category. “I knew the effort, I was prepared for it and I think I did what I was capable of and I’m really proud of that,” Taylor told SBS. She revealed a strategic boost in confidence, noting she achieved fourth on the Strava leaderboard during practice laps of the climb. “I flew in this morning and unpacked my bike and got straight out. So I did a few laps of the climb and my second time up I got fourth on the Strava leaderboard and that filled me with a lot of confidence.”
Keely Bennett (Butterfields Ziptrak) finished second in the women’s time trial, while Georgia Waghorn (Black Magic Women’s Cycling) secured third place. The result highlights the growing competitiveness within the ProVelo Super League’s women’s field.
In the men’s event, Connor Wright (Falcons Pedal Mafia) took second place, and Graeme Frislie (CCACHE x Bodywrap) finished third, trailing Ivory. The tight competition suggests a challenging series ahead for the men’s contenders.
The Tour of Tasmania continues on Friday with a demanding road race schedule. The men will tackle a 133.3km course at Gunns Plain, while the women will compete on a 107.3km circuit from Penguin. Saturday’s stage 3 will see both men and women race a 73.6km road race from Longford to Poatina. The tour will conclude on Sunday with a criterium in Launceston.
Taylor’s victory carries added significance as she is the daughter of Liz Taylor (née Tadich), a silver medalist in the road race at the 1997 World Championships. This familial connection adds a compelling narrative to her success and underscores a legacy of cycling excellence.
The ProVelo Super League will move on to the Melbourne to Warrnambool and Warrnambool Women’s Cycling Classic following the Tour of Tasmania. However, these events were recently delayed by two weeks due to fires in the vicinity of the course in late January, and are now scheduled for February 28th and March 1st respectively.
Stage 1 Results: Men
| Position | Rider/team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Ivory (Launceston Mountain Bike Club) | 1:18 |
| 2 | Connor Wright (Falcons Pedal Mafia) | +3 |
| 3 | Graeme Frislie (CCACHE x Bodywrap) | – |
| 4 | Finlay Walsh (CCACHE x Bodywrap) | – |
| 5 | Oliver Sims (COBRA9 x Leigh Surveyors) | +4 |
Stage 1 Results: Women
| Position | Rider/team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruby Taylor (Team Redcat) | 1:46 |
| 2 | Keely Bennett (Butterfields Ziptrak) | +1 |
| 3 | Georgia Waghorn (Black Magic Women’s Cycling) | +3 |
| 4 | Isla Bradbury (Nstrmo x Attaquer x CCACHE) | +4 |
| 5 | Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat) | +5 |
The Tour of Tasmania, steeped in history since its inception in 1930, has become a prestigious event on the Australian cycling calendar. It has served as a launching pad for numerous Australian cycling stars, including Cadel Evans, Richie Porte, Jack Haig, and Justine Barrow. The diverse terrain, encompassing flat sections, rolling hills, and steep climbs, presents a comprehensive test of endurance and skill for all participants. The event’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of racing styles and the stunning backdrop of Tasmania’s landscapes.
