The Gravelista Australian qualifier for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships took place in Seymour on Sunday, with Brendan Johnston (GIANT AUSTRALIA) and Talia Appleton (TEAM BRIDGELANE) winning and securing starting bibs for the worlds.

90% of the 135km race took place on gravel roads and included two ascents of The Wicket Hill Climb, a 1km leg breaker at an average gradient of 11%. Riders finishing in the top 25% of their UCI age/gender category automatically qualified for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nice, France next October.

In the Men’s race, multiple Australian national champion Brendan Johnston, 32, finished in 3:37:49 solo to take his second UCI Gravel World Series victory this year. Next was Tasman Nakervis at 3:38:33, followed by Luke Burns in 3:42:37.

“My second UCl World Series victory was a sweet one, hard to arrive home after a long season and execute- proud I was able to do so,’ Johnston posted on social media afterwards.

Teenage sensation Talia Appleton, 19, rode all challengers off her wheel in the Women’s race to decisively claim victory by over 10 minutes. She finished in 4:05:50, with Courtney Sherwell and Cassia Boglio taking the remaining podium spots in 4:16:34 and 4:18:44 respectively.

Gregory Ball won the shorter 95km Men’s event in 2:59:14, while Jenny Pettenon won the Women’s in 3:16:36.

Complete Gravelista results HERE

Photo Credit: Instagram/trekky91

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