The ProVelo Super League (PSL) celebrated the successful conclusion of its inaugural season this past weekend with the exhilarating four-stage Q Tour, held from March 22 to 23, 2025, in Brisbane and its picturesque surroundings. Rising star Sophie Marr from the Praties Cycling Team and Jack Ward of Team Brennan emerged triumphant as the league champions, securing contracts with the prestigious GreenEdge organization encompassing Jayco AlUla and Liv AlUla Jayco.
The Q Tour provided a dramatic backdrop for thrilling races in both the women's and men's categories. In the women's race, Alli Anderson from Butterfields Ziptrak Racing stunningly claimed the General Classification (GC), overshadowing strong contenders with a remarkable final performance, including a nail-biting finish that ascended the steep terrain of Campbells Pocket. Notably, Jack Ward finished second overall in the Q Tour, accumulating enough points to be named the PSL's inaugural champion, alongside his contract as a stagiaire with the World Tour team.
At the event’s start, the women's race kicked off with a Friday evening criterium on Brisbane's South Bank, where Odette Lynch from Butterfields Ziptrak took the stage victory. Amelie Sanders, a promising 17-year-old talent from ARA-Skip Capital, followed in second place, ahead of another rising cyclist, Lauren Bates. The second stage featured a lumpy time trial that saw Bates triumph, allowing her to shift into the overall lead, with Anderson and Sophie Edwards rounding out the podium.
As the race progressed, Marr showcased her prowess, taking home the stage victory at Lakeside Raceway on the same day as the time trial, a pivotal achievement that altered the dynamics of the competition. Though Talia Appleton surged ahead to win the final uphill stage in the Moreton Bay Hinterland, her efforts weren't enough to capture the overall title, which ultimately went to Anderson.
Sophie Marr's consistency solidified her place in history as the inaugural PSL champion, having clinched the pro contract and Factor Ostra VAM. The organizers celebrated Marr's dominance throughout the season, marking this as a significant milestone in her career. “This achievement marks a significant milestone in Marr’s career development, and she is eager to seize the opportunity presented by the PSL, propelling her closer to her dream of competing at the professional level,” they stated.
In the men's league, the competition unfolded in exhilarating stages, beginning with a criterium victory by Cameron Scott from Ccache-Bodywrap. Following him, Zac Marriage of Butterfields Ziptrak Racing took the honors in the stage two time trial with subpar consistency driving him throughout the season. The intense competition continued with Tynan Shannon winning stage three, marking a significant performance, prompting a shift in the overall standings with Ward and Marriage contending fiercely against each other.
The finale saw the two targeted individuals—Ward and Marriage—face off in a tense showdown. Ward ultimately prevailed on the final climb, thus winning the stage, while Marriage emerged as the overall Tour winner, edging Ward by 17 seconds overall. Ward was congratulated after his exhilarating victory, stating, “It was pretty special. It’s such a great opportunity that they’ve [Jayco AlUla] provided. They’ve done so much for Aussie cycling. It’s pretty special.”
The competitive spirit of the ProVelo Super League enticed both male and female riders in their pursuit of World Tour contracts. While Marr claimed five stage wins throughout the season, she rose to prominence during the Q Tour, continuing to push the boundaries of her performance level, which resulted in a 12-month contract with the Liv AlUla Jayco development squad for 2026.
Jack Ward, too, triumphed with the PSL championship, earning a six-month trainee contract with World Tour team Jayco AlUla, a move widely regarded as pivotal for his blossoming career in cycling. Both riders are not merely celebrating victories but strategizing for their future as they make plans to advance into international cycling competitions. As both riders eye European competitions, the ProVelo Super League's promise remains steadfast in creating pathways to professional opportunities.
As the dust settles from the inaugural season, the strong performances reflected not only individual talent but also the growing prominence of Australian cycling on the global stage. Organizers noted, “It is a leap forward in the career of Ward who is being touted as a future star of Australian cycling, and no doubt he will have many new fans following his performances so far in 2025.”
With a competitive season now concluded, it's clear that the vision behind the establishment of the ProVelo Super League—to replace the National Road Series with a more dynamic affair—has borne fruit. As the PSL looks forward to an expanded future, enthusiasm mounts among competitors and fans alike, hopeful for more high-stakes competitions to follow.
