Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell Race Highlights 2026
Watts goes long, Walsh holds his nerve in Inverell!
SBS Women's League
Setting off in cold conditions for the Kennards Hire Mt Mitchell to Inverell, the women started attacking immediately as many riders tried to earn themselves a spot in the early breakaway. At the end of the breakaway formation with 100km to go, New Zealand U23 Time Trial champion Kirsty Watts (Meridan Bikebug) was away on her own, just ahead of her compatriot Maria Laurie, riding here as an individual.
Watts settled into a strong rhythm and steadily increased her lead as the race progressed. At its largest, her advantage over the peloton stretched beyond seven minutes, with the bunch unable to organise a sustained chase.
The New Zealander maintained an impressive pace throughout the long solo effort, averaging close to 42 km/h as the kilometres ticked down toward Inverell.
Behind, attacks began to emerge as it became clear the peloton was racing for the final podium place. A trio containing League leader Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat), Belinda Bailey (NSTRMO x Attaquer x CCACHE) and Keely Bennett (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) eventually moved clear, contesting third place behind the two leaders.
Watts arrived in Inverell alone after more than 100 kilometres out front to take a memorable victory and underline her strength in this year's Hertz ProVelo Super League. Laurie held on to secure second place, while Bennett won the sprint from the chasing trio to complete the podium.
Let's Go Motorhomes Men's League
This year's Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell was one for the ages. Non-stop attacking for 228 kilometres brought the entire field to their hands and knees as the previous course record was demolished. Team Brennan_ were one of the main aggressors, looking to split the field up to create a more controlled situation with fewer riders to manage in the finale.
Last year's winner Tristan Saunders (Team Brennan_) held the longest break of the day at roughly 40km from Glen Innes to Wire Gully, before being reeled in as the finale started to get underway. His Brennan_ squad's efforts succeeded in thinning the field, but it was also at the expense of their own chances as the strong team came into the finale with fewer options than they would have liked.
As the riders rolled through Elsmore into the final 15km, riders began dropping like flies and the strongest emerged at the front. Those who managed their effort well throughout the day began applying pressure and in the end it was Finn Walsh (CCACHE X BODYWRAP) and Lindon Milostic (Team Rauland) who were strongest up the final climb and set off to the finish together. Behind the leading duo Levi Hone (Team Brennan_) and young climber from WA Jeremy Smith (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) joined forces to try and close the gap.
Walsh and Milostic didn't falter and remained calm under the immense pressure being applied from behind, entering the final straight with the Hone and Smith pairing breathing down their necks. Walsh launched first and took a few metres over Milostic which he never gave up, powering home to take the biggest win of his career ahead of Milostic, who equalled his father Peter's best ever result in Inverell.
Smith got the better of previous League leader Hone in the final straight to take third and mark himself as a rider to watch in the future after a stellar performance in another brutal edition of Australia's toughest one day classic.
