The Tour of Bright just delivered one of its most thrilling editions yet, with Brodie Chapman and Luke Plapp claiming overall victories in a race that pushed riders to their limits. But here's where it gets controversial: while some see this club-run event as a local affair, others argue it's a proving ground for elite talent. Let’s dive into the action and you decide.
On Sunday, Chapman and Plapp secured their wins, but the final stage to the summit of Mt Buffalo belonged to Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfield Ziptrak) and Levi Hone (Team Brennan). Chapman’s dominance began in the Stage 2 time trial, where she built a 44-second lead over Talia Appleton (Praties). Yet, Chapman knew she couldn’t rest easy. As she put it, her UAE Team ADQ jersey wasn’t just about past victories—it was about staying ahead in the present.
The 60km closing stage kicked off under sunny skies, with Nicholson and Lucie Spurling breaking away early. The trio built a three-minute gap before tackling the final climb, a grueling 1000m vertical ascent. Appleton, determined to chase down Nicholson, pushed hard from the start. “I knew we had to crack on,” she told Cyclingnews. “Katelyn had a massive head start.”
As the race unfolded, Appleton led a group with Chapman sticking to her wheel, fighting to stay in contention. Nicholson held on, crossing the line just two seconds ahead of Appleton, with Emily Dixon (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto Generation) in third. Chapman’s fourth-place finish was enough to secure her overall win, surrendering only two seconds to Appleton.
In the men’s race, Plapp continued his dominance, winning his third consecutive Tour of Bright. And this is the part most people miss: while it’s a club-run event, the stakes are sky-high for local riders like Plapp, who rallies his Jayco-AlUla teammates annually. The Australian time trial champion secured his victory with a third-place finish on the final stage, behind Hone and Mark O’Brien.
The men’s race was a tactical battle from the start. A breakaway of 17 riders formed early, with O’Brien and Hone charging ahead on the climb. Plapp, meanwhile, had his sights set on closing the 46-second gap to race leader Will Cooper. “It was a cat-and-mouse game at the bottom,” Plapp said. “But once I attacked, it was full gas.”
Plapp’s effort paid off, as he caught the leading duo just before the final downhill sprint. He then worked the front to maximize his overall lead, leaving Hone and O’Brien to battle for the stage win. Cooper, though losing the overall lead, kept his cool, securing second place on the GC. Plapp’s teammate, Kelland O’Brien, rounded out the podium.
The race also saw records fall on Mt Buffalo. Inez Cashman set a new QOM time of 52:05, shaving 35 seconds off Sarah Gigante’s 2023 mark. Appleton, Chapman, and Dixon also bested Gigante’s record. Plapp, meanwhile, improved his own KOM time from 41:18 to 41:04, despite less-than-ideal conditions.
Controversial question: Is the Tour of Bright a stepping stone for elite riders or a local pride event? Let us know in the comments!
Written by Simone, a degree-qualified journalist with decades of experience across leading media organizations. Simone joined Cyclingnews as Australia Editor in 2021, bringing her passion for cycling and storytelling to the forefront.
