James Whelan says he'll be happy to race for Australian continental squad Team Bridgelane for the remainder of 2022 after securing victory in the Festival of Cycling.
The 22-year-old, overlooked for a World Tour contract despite three years with EF Education-Nippo, overcame a one-minute penalty imposed for motor-pacing from his team car during his stage one victory on Thursday to win the event by 24 seconds from teammate Matt Dinham.
Completing a big event for Team BridgeLane, Dinham won the young rider classification while the squad was winners of the team general classification.
It's a strong rebound from his World Tour snub for Whelan, and a good start to life with Team BridgeLane.
"I've just got to be proud of how I rode and the way I've kind of kept my head together over the last few months and it's been a privilege to race for this team," Whelan said.
"Whether I race World Tour this year or Pro Tour over in Europe, I'm not too fussed.
"I've done everything I can do and I've had a blast racing with Team BridgeLane.
"I'm happy to race with them all year. We go over to Europe in April and hopefully we'll keep winning bike races."
Villawood/Jumbo-Visma's Chris Harper moved up to third overall with ninth on Saturday's 113.2km closing stage.
Angus Lyons won the stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, denying 2020 Tour de France third placegetter Richie Porte a fairytale finish on the roads of South Australia.
The domestic event replaced the Tour Down Under for the second year because of international travel restrictions and doesn't carry World Tour status.
