SA KICK IT | STAGE 1 Highlights & Results

SBS Women’s League 

The ProVelo Super League launched a new era in Australian domestic cycling with the SA Kick It opener, featuring Stage 1 of the SBS Women’s League and an individual time trial over 2.96km up the iconic Willunga Hill.  

Fresh off a silver medal in the U23 Women’s Road Race at the Australian Road Championships in Perth, Sophia Sammons (Praties Cycling Team) set a blistering early benchmark. However, her Praties teammate, Talia Appleton—who had downplayed her chances pre-race—stormed up the climb in 8 minutes 35 seconds, shaving four seconds off Sammons' time. With 13 riders still to start, Appleton waited nervously as the field chased her time.  

It wasn’t until the penultimate rider, Katelyn Nicholson Butterfields Zip Trak Racing, that Appleton’s lead came under serious threat. Nicholson finished just two seconds shy, securing second place and pushing Sammons into third.  

Appleton’s decision to forgo a Tour Down Under Women’s National Team spot to race alongside her Praties Cycling Team teammates in SA Kick It proved a gamble that paid off. A confident criterium rider with a strong team behind her, she now looks ahead to tomorrow’s Stage 2 Victoria Park criterium, which will be streamed live on SBS VICELAND.

SumUp Men's League

The opening stage of the SA Kick It  for the Men’s ProVelo Super League saw an electrifying performance from early starter Ronan Teese, who set a blistering 6:51 on the 2.96km Willunga Hill climb. His time would prove unbeatable, holding off some of Australia’s top domestic climbers and time trial specialists.  

Among those coming closest was Jack Ward Team Brennan, who finished just one second behind, and Findlay Walsh CCACHE x BodyWrap, securing third place only four seconds adrift.  

Ronan’s win is the biggest of his career, edging out a field that included multi-time Australian National MTB champion and double stage winner of the 2024 Tour of Bright, as well as three-time Australian Elite Men’s Road Champion, Luke Plapp.  

Interestingly, Ronan and his identical twin brother, Aidan, made a last-minute decision to enter SA Kick It!

Looking ahead to Stage 2 at Victoria Park Criterium, Ronan faces a challenge as criteriums aren’t his strongest discipline. However, he’s determined to give it his all to retain the leader’s jersey!

RESULTS

SBS Women’s League Winner

1. Talia APPLETON (Praties Cycling Team 8’35’’
2. Katelyn NICHOLSON (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) +2’’
3. Sophia SAMMONS (Praties Cycling Team) +4’’

QOM

1. Talia APPLETON (Praties Cycling Team
2. Katelyn NICHOLSON (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
3. Sophia SAMMONS (Praties Cycling Team)

U23

1. Talia APPLETON (Praties Cycling Team
2. Katelyn NICHOLSON (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
3. Ryhlee AKEROYD (Meridan Blue Cycling p/b 99 Bikes)

U19

1. Tully SCHWEITZER (Praties Cycling Team)
2. Neve PARSLOW (ARA Skip Capital)
3. Hannah GIANATTI (ARA Skip Capital)

SumUp Men’s League Winner

1. Ronan TEESE (Bendigo & District Cycling Club) 6’51’’
2. Jack WARD (Team Brennan p/b TP32) +1”
3. Finlay WALSH (CCACHE x Bodywrap) +4’’

KOM

1. Ronan TEESE (Bendigo & District Cycling Club) 
2. Jack WARD (Team Brennan p/b TP32)
3. Finlay WALSH (CCACHE x Bodywrap) 

U23

1. Ronan TEESE (Bendigo & District Cycling Club) 
2. Jack WARD (Team Brennan p/b TP32)
3. Finlay WALSH (CCACHE x Bodywrap)

U19

1. Connor WRIGHT (ARA | Skip Capital)
2. Donovan MACKIE (Cycling Development Foundation)
3. Vinnie MANION (ARA | Skip Capital)