For decades the top tier of racing in Australia has unfolded through the AusCycling National Road Series (NRS), an assortment of races across the year that has provided a key step in the pathway to the WorldTour for many, from Richie Porte to Jack Haig to Grace Brown, but on Friday the chequered flag was waved for the last time. Now the NRS is no more.
The Tour of Gippsland finale delivered two road stages and a time trial at the undulating oceanside Grand Prix circuit on Phillip Island then headed to the village of Rhyll for the closing criteriums, with the final finish line set up alongside the inlet. The tour – which lists Sam Welsford, Josie Talbot and Nathan Haas among its winners – has long been a crucial part of the series and it held firm to that tradition by providing the closing chapter, crowning Keely Bennett (Team BridgeLane) and Graeme Frislie (CCACHE x Par Küp) as the final elite NRS winners.
