The overall podium, three riders in the top 10 and a huge boost in confidence have been among the highlights for Australia\u2019s under-23s at this week\u2019s Tour de l\u2019Avenir in France.<\/p>\n
Talia Appleton led the results sheet for the ARA Australian Cycling Team, finishing third in the general classification of the Tour de l\u2019Avenir Femmes \u2013 the world\u2019s most prestigious stage race for under-23 cyclists.<\/p>\n
Appleton, from Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club in the Victoria Alps, held her podium position from start to finish. She was third in the uphill prologue and, with the support of the team, made no mistakes over the subsequent rolling stages.<\/p>\n
That set her up to soar in the mountains: on the split-stage final day, Appleton finished third in the road race and second on the uphill time trial. Both stages finished at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level at La Rosi\u00e8re.<\/p>\n
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Talia Appleton (left) finished on the overall podium.<\/p>\n
\u201cHeading into the final double day of racing in the Alps, I was ready to do everything I could to defend my position on GC,\u201d Appleton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo come third on a really tough queen stage after being solo for most of the day was incredible, and then to back up only a few hours later with second in the final uphill 10km TT felt even better!\u201d<\/p>\n
Western Australia\u2019s Mackenzie Coupland (Midland Cycle Club) finished ninth overall, capping off a brilliant week where she also placed fourth on a stage.<\/p>\n
As proof of her emerging talent, Appleton, who earlier this year focused on the ProVelo Super League<\/a>, was bested only by two riders who already race for WorldTour teams: Canada\u2019s Isabella Holmgren and France\u2019s Marion Bunel.<\/p>\n Talia Appleton maintained her GC position from start to finish.<\/p>\n At just 19 years of age, Appleton also secured second in the young riders\u2019 classification.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s still sinking in and definitely a bit of a pinch me moment!\u201d Appleton said. \u201cTo finish on the GC podium and have two Aussie women in the top 10 is super special.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really targeting the opening prologue as I knew it suited my characteristics, but I was still a bit shocked to come third and find myself on the GC podium. I was really happy with that result and decided anything else throughout the rest of the week would just be a bonus, especially against so many riders with WorldTour and grand tour experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The ARA Australian Cycling Team finished second overall in the team classification.<\/p>\n \u201cSuper lucky to have really great, experienced teammates around me throughout the four lumpy road stages. A result like this definitely wouldn\u2019t have been possible without all of their support both on and off the bike,\u201d Appleton said.<\/p>\n In the men\u2019s Tour de l\u2019Avenir, Luke Tuckwell (Bathurst Cycling Club) climbed his way to 10th overall after an impressive final day in the mountains. Having started the day in 19th place, Tuckwell did enough to add another top 10 to his name after being the runner-up at the Giro Next Gen<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n![\"Talia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Tour-de-lAvenir-2025-Etape-2-Lewis-Catel_22-web.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Alli](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Tour-de-lAvenir-2025-Etape-3-Lewis-Catel_18-web.jpg\")
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