Talia Appleton has led home the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the UCI World Championships today, finishing ninth in the under-23 women’s road race.
The first standalone edition of the under-23 women’s event was held over eight laps of a hilly Kigali circuit, totalling 119 kilometres.
The course was defined by two steep climbs, principally the 1.3-kilometre Cote de Kimihurura, a cobbled ascent with gradients of up to 11% that nominally peaked with 1km to go, but continued to rise all the way to the finish line.
(L-R) Wilson-Haffenden, Coupland, Anderson and Appleton represented Australia in the historic race. (Chris Auld / SWpix.com)
The attritional race saw just 10 of the 85 starters, including Appleton, reach the foot of the final climb together.
Until that point, the Victorian, from Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club, had ridden without error, keeping herself near the front of the peloton at every moment. She had even driven the pace on the second-last ascent of the climb, helping to whittle the race down.
On the final climb, however, French rider Marion Bunel attacked, dragging clear two other riders who would ultimately sprint for the win.
Appleton could not match the acceleration, but held her tempo up the steep stopes to secure a top-10 result for Australia.
Appleton emptied herself on the final climb to secure the top-10 result. (Chris Auld / SWpix.com)
For the ARA Australian Cycling Team, it was a race of grit and tenacity.
Mackenzie Coupland recovered from no fewer than three mechanical incidents – eventually finishing on a Shimano neutral spare bike – to finish just behind the next main group.
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, fresh from becoming a world champion in the mixed relay time trial, supported her Australian teammates in the first half of the race.
Coupland chased back to the peloton on no less than three occasions after mechanical problems. (Alex Whitehead / SWpix.com)
Alli Anderson was forced to withdraw after doggedly fighting her way back to the peloton numerous times between climbs.
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships continue tomorrow with road races for the junior men and under-23 men.
Results – Under-23 Women Road Race
🥇 Celia Gery (FRA) 3:24:26
🥈 Viktoria Chladonova (SVK) +2
🥉 Paula Blasi Cairol (ESP) +12
9. Talia Appleton (AUS) +31
22. Mackenzie Coupland (AUS) +2:40
33. Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (AUS) +12:01
DNF. Alli Anderson (AUS)
Feature photo: Alex Whitehead / SWpix.com