27 March 2024
Elite road racing is set to enter a new era with the launch of an all-new domestic league in 2025.
With a focus on broadcast innovation, fan-friendly locations and a compact calendar of new and iconic events, the ProVelo Super League will showcase some of Australia’s best road riders from juniors to elite men and women.
While planning for the league will accelerate over the coming months, confirmed details include:
- Early 2025 launch;
- Compact 10–12 week calendar;
- Five tours and two classic one-day races;
Elite men’s and women’s division comprising a minimum of 25 teams in season one.
PSL co-founders Matt Wilson and Aaron Flanagan said the new league would combine the tradition of iconic road races such as the Melbourne to Warrnambool and Grafton to Inverell while establishing new events in the major Australian cities.
Both Wilson and Flanagan paid tribute to the league’s major backer, Gerry Ryan, saying the support of Australia’s greatest cycling benefactor had been crucial.
“The ProVelo Super League aims to provide a compact and exciting road racing product that will not only capture the attention of fans but provide a critical pathway for young cyclists in this country,” Wilson said.
“The close collaboration between the PSL and AusCycling via a partnership agreement ensures that the objectives between the PSL and the sport’s governing body are aligned.
“Thanks to Gerry Ryan, whose contribution to Australian cycling over the past 30 years has been immense, his ongoing commitment to sport now solidifies this pathway and ensures the next generation of emerging young road cyclists have the opportunity to discover the sport and develop on home soil.”
Flanagan said the new league was designed to drive both fandom and the injection of new funds through private investment.
“The primary driver of the ProVelo Super League business model is to unlock the value of private equity to invest in key strategic pillars that can support the future of elite road cycling in Australia and stimulate growth,” he said.
“Investing in the delivery of events to optimise the potential for spectator engagement and scheduling that works with live broadcast audiences are critical levers to growing commercial value. It further enables us to invest in a fresh approach to broadcasting the sport whilst supporting events and teams through our content strategy and investments in marketing.”
Australia’s peak riding and cycling body, AusCycling, has backed the new league and will sanction events and provide support through appointment of officials, alignment within the calendars, PSL Stakeholder Group representation and more.
“We look forward to working with the PSL to ensure a vibrant and sustainable competition that both showcases the sport and provides support for the developmental pathways of our riders,” AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner said.
“We’re confident this competition will respect the long heritage of the National Road Series, which nurtured world-class talents such as Richie Porte, Jay Vine, Grace Brown, Chris Harper and many more.”
Fechner said AusCycling was working closely with the PSL to ensure the new competition complements existing events across all disciplines.
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Media contact:
Lucy Bowden
0429 177 356
