Brendan Johnston successfully defended his Devils Cardigan title in Derby, Tasmania, on Saturday 20 June, holding off a determined Harry Leask to win the sixth edition of Australia’s toughest gravel race in 03:22:49.
After 106km of racing, Leask crossed the line just 46 seconds later, with Harry Bebbington completing the podium in third. Tasman Nankervis, runner-up in 2025, finished fourth, while Oliver Johnston and Scott Bowden rounded out the top six.
In the women’s race, mountain bike specialist Holly Harris claimed victory in 04:15:44, narrowly defeating Michaela Rogan, who crossed the line 56 seconds behind after the pair matched each other pedal stroke for pedal stroke for much of the day. Flora Johnson finished third, with Matilda Raynolds, Tori Barry and Courtney Sherwell completing the top six.
Saturday’s race was the sixth edition of the event since its 2021 debut and its second as part of the UCI Gravel World Series, serving as a qualifying round for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia, this October. Riders finishing inside the top 25 per cent of their age and gender categories secured qualification for the world championships.
Johnston, who also won the 2025 edition in a near-identical time, continues to build one of the strongest résumés in Australian gravel racing, having claimed victories at Gravelista and SEVEN events in recent seasons.
The Derby course, featuring 2,300 metres of climbing through temperate rainforest and exposed alpine terrain, remains one of the most demanding stops on the UCI Gravel World Series calendar.
Photo Credit: Devil’s Cardigan
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