- Brodie Chapman and Tasman Nankervis take the top podium spots
- The first of its kind in Australia, RADL GRVL commanded the attention of the global gravel scene today with exciting racing in McLaren Vale, Adelaide.
- Brodie Chapman (AUS) won the women’s pro race, Nicole Frain (AUS) took second place on the podium with Heidi Franz (USA) in third.
- Tasman Nankervis (AUS) took the top men’s podium spot from a sprint finish involving Brendan Johnston (AUS) and Adam Blazevic (AUS) - the group that dominated the men’s race throughout.
- RADL GRVL co-founder Tiffany Cromwell placed 6th in the Pro women’s category.
Pro Women's top 3 (108km)
- Brodie Chapman (AUS) - (3:25:21)
- Nicole Frain (AUS) - (00:00:01)
- Heidi Franz (USA) - (00:00:03)
Pro Women's podium: 1st Brodie Chapman (AUS), 2nd Nicole Frain (AUS) & 3rd Heidi Franz (USA)
Pro Men's top 3 (108km)
- Tasman Nankervis (AUS) - (3:03:00)
- Brendan Johnston (AUS) - (0:00:01)
- Adam Blazevic (AUS) - (0:00:13)
Pro Men's podium: 1st Tasman Nankervis (AUS), 2nd Brendan Johnston (AUS) & 3rd Adam Blazevic (AUS)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adelaide, Australia January 19th - RADL GRVL, the first international gravel race in the Southern Hemisphere, took place in optimal racing conditions in McLaren Vale today where 300 riders competed for a highly contested, generous prize purse of $10,000 AUD. Australian riders dominated the men’s race, making RADL GRVL a key fixture on the international calendar for ambitious riders seeking to test their fitness in the winter months. Taking the Pro Men’s title was Tasman Nankervis followed closely by Brendan Johnston in second and Adam Blazevic in third. In the Pro Women’s field the podium spots were claimed by Australian Brodie Chapman in first place, Nicole Frain in second and Heidi Franz in third.
Adelaide, Australia January 19th - RADL GRVL, the first international gravel race in the Southern Hemisphere, took place in optimal racing conditions in McLaren Vale today where 300 riders competed for a highly contested, generous prize purse of $10,000 AUD. Australian riders dominated the men’s race, making RADL GRVL a key fixture on the international calendar for ambitious riders seeking to test their fitness in the winter months. Taking the Pro Men’s title was Tasman Nankervis followed closely by Brendan Johnston in second and Adam Blazevic in third. In the Pro Women’s field the podium spots were claimed by Australian Brodie Chapman in first place, Nicole Frain in second and Heidi Franz in third.
The Premiere of International Gravel Racing in Australia
RADL GRVL kicked off on Thursday in the town of Adelaide with a Quad Lock shakeout ride where 100 riders clad in little more than Budgy Smugglers rode to the beach for a dip in the ocean before returning to kick off the GRVL corner at the Santos Tour Down Under Village press release here. In the afternoon a pro panel discussion provided those interested, with a rundown of the top rider talent entered in the event.
Top international talent dominate the Pro Men’s field
The race blew up from the start with a group of 6 riders in the Pro Men's race, including Tasman Nankervis, Brendan Johnston and Adam Blazevic forming a lead group on the first climb of the day just 3km into the race. The first climb shed all but the top 15 riders, Sven took a solo lead but was caught and dropped by the top 3 on Mount Magnificent. This gap held until the end, finishing with an all-out sprint to the line between the 3 riders where Tasman Nankervis took the win.
Brodie Chapman Shows Incredible Form
The first climb split the women’s bunch just like the men, with Brodie Chapman taking a blistering lead and building a gap over her rivals through the top of the climb. She was later caught by a group of 6 women including Heidi Franz and Nicole Frain who raced hard and fast as a group, for nearly 80 km. When the group of 6 hit the flat sand section of the race, the eventual 3 podium finishers pulled away from the others to charge for a sprint to the line that saw Brodie Chapman take the win. Brodie was first female finisher at the inaugural SBT GRVL race in 2019, and first finisher at the inaugural RADL GRVL.
Pro Women's race winner Brodie Chapman - 68 km into the race exiting Red Gum Road
Local professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell played a major role as race co-founder, in bringing RADL GRVL to her hometown of Adelaide. RADL GRVL is the latest addition to the GRVL race series. Cromwell, together with her partner F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and Amy Charity Founding Partner and CEO of SBT GRVL successfully launched FNLD GRVL in Bottas’ hometown of Lahti, Finland last June. Registration is now open for FNLD GRVL.
According to Cromwell “It has been amazing to be able to bring RADL GRVL to Adelaide and set the bar high for international gravel racing in Australia. We hope that the race puts the region of Adelaide on the map as a premium gravel cycling destination, until now it was just the locals that knew of this well-kept secret but now we hope to see an influx of international competitors for future RADL GRVL events.”
RADL GRVL is an ideal fitness test for northern hemisphere riders coming out of winter training, and preparing for the international gravel racing season.
RADL GRVL is an ideal fitness test for northern hemisphere riders coming out of winter training, and preparing for the international gravel racing season.
Co-founder of RADL GRVL Tiffany Cromwell racing for top 10 in the Pro Women's race
Results
Pro Women's top 10 (108km)
- Brodie Chapman (AUS) - (3:25:21)
- Nicole Frain (AUS) - (00:00:01)
- Heidi Franz (USA) - (00:00:03)
- Cassia Boglio (AUS) - (00:01:04)
- Justine Barrow (AUS) - (00:02:08)
- Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) - (00:03:30)
- Courtney Sherwell (AUS) - (00:03:30)
- Gina Ricardo (AUS) - (00:03:46)
- Samara Sheppard (AUS) - (00:04:16)
- Talia Appleton (AUS) - (00:04:48)
Pro Men's top 10 (108km)
- Tasman Nankervis (AUS) - (3:03:00)
- Brendan Johnston (AUS) - (0:00:01)
- Adam Blazevic (AUS) - (0:00:13)
- Brendon Davids (AUS) - (0:02:11)
- Ruben Apers (BEL) - (0:02:30)
- Jack Aitken (AUS) - (0:02:35)
- John Davis (AUS) - (0:03:19)
- Connor Sens (AUS) - (0:03:42)
- Ollie Penney (AUS) - (0:04:07)
- Sven Burger(NED) - (0:04:41)
##ENDS##
About GRVL Events
SBT GRVL was founded in 2019 by Amy Charity in Steamboat Springs CO. Since then, the event has grown to be the second-largest gravel race in the USA. In 2023 Charity joined forces with Valtteri Bottas and Tiffany Cromwell to co-found FNLD GRVL and subsequently the first-ever RADL GRVL at Santos Tour Down Under, 2024.
Each year, GRVL Events continue to grow globally as cyclists have come to associate GRVL with a premium cycling experience in unique locations with a diverse and communal atmosphere, that’s as competitive and challenging as it is enjoyable.
RADL GRVL Partners
Santos Tour Down Under, Maurten, Fjallraven, Pas Normal Studios, invisiFRAME, Schwalbe, Quad Lock, Sram, Zipp, Wahoo & Oakley
SBT GRVL was founded in 2019 by Amy Charity in Steamboat Springs CO. Since then, the event has grown to be the second-largest gravel race in the USA. In 2023 Charity joined forces with Valtteri Bottas and Tiffany Cromwell to co-found FNLD GRVL and subsequently the first-ever RADL GRVL at Santos Tour Down Under, 2024.
Each year, GRVL Events continue to grow globally as cyclists have come to associate GRVL with a premium cycling experience in unique locations with a diverse and communal atmosphere, that’s as competitive and challenging as it is enjoyable.
RADL GRVL Partners
Santos Tour Down Under, Maurten, Fjallraven, Pas Normal Studios, invisiFRAME, Schwalbe, Quad Lock, Sram, Zipp, Wahoo & Oakley
