The Tour of Bright saw a thrilling showdown at Mt Buffalo, with Brodie Chapman and Luke Plapp claiming the overall victories. Katelyn Nicholson and Levi Hone emerged victorious in the final stage, a challenging climb ending at the summit of Mt Buffalo. Chapman dominated the women's race, securing the overall lead after a strong performance in the stage 2 time trial, despite initial doubts about resting on her laurels.
In the men's race, Plapp, the Australian time trial champion, swept up his home tour for the third year in a row. He demonstrated his determination by narrowing the gap to race leader Will Cooper, even crashing a pre-stage interview to emphasize his goal. Plapp's relentless pursuit culminated in a new KOM (King of the Mountain) record on the Mt Buffalo climb, surpassing his previous best.
The women's race featured an early break with Isla Carr, Katelyn Nicholson, and Lucie Spurling, who built a three-minute gap before the final climb. Nicholson held firm, finishing just two seconds behind Talia Appleton, with Emily Dixon in third place. Chapman and Appleton showcased their prowess, with Appleton narrowly missing out on taking Sarah Gigante's crown on Tawonga Gap.
The men's race saw a dynamic break with Mark O'Brien and Levi Hone, who charged clear from a 17-rider break at the start of the climb. Despite the peloton's efforts, Plapp's Jayco-AlUla teammate, Kelland O'Brien, emerged as the third overall, showcasing the race's competitive nature.
The Tour of Bright's challenging climb at Mt Buffalo attracted attention, with Plapp's scorching effort narrowing the gap to Cooper and setting a new KOM record. Nicholson's performance in the women's race also stood out, with her QOM (Queen of the Mountain) time of 52:05, cutting 35 seconds off the previous record. The race's excitement and competitive spirit left a lasting impression, with Chapman and Plapp's victories highlighting the sport's allure and the athletes' dedication.
