Mark O'Brien (Trappist) and Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) claimed victory at SEVEN on Saturday, with the Australian gravel champions both getting the better of powerful home-state contenders, Mark Chong and Cassia Boglio (PAS Racing), during the final stages of the 126km Western Australian UCI Gravel World Series round.
O'Brien used his climbing prowess to shake Chong in the final ten kilometres, crossing the line solo in the small town of Nannup after 4 hours, five minutes and 20 seconds with the Western Australian a little over half a minute behind. It was then Brendon Davids (Brennan) who took third ahead of 2023 winner Tasman Nankervis (Cannondale-Rapha-Camelback-Shimano).
It was, however, the tightest of battles for Cromwell and Boglio with the experienced WorldTour rider having being distanced by her and Talia Appleton (Praties) early in the race but, with unrelenting persistence, pulling Boglio back within the final five kilometres.
