Scottish Commonwealth Games representative Lucy Coldwell (Holden Women’s Cycling) has sealed overall victory at the Mersey Valley Tour in Tasmania while her teammate, Shannon Malseed, clinched final stage honours in Riana.

A consistent Coldwell found the podium in all three stages of the Subaru National Road Series event, including victory in Saturday’s hilltop finish in Sheffield.

Coldwell finished third in Sunday’s 75 kilometre road race from Ulverstone to Riana through Gunns Plains, winning the Tour by a commanding 37 seconds to defending Tour champion Ruth Corset (Total Rush Hyster).

2015 Tour of the Mersey Valley: Stage 3 Results

“It’s a great step for me, being in the yellow jersey. It’s the first time I’ve ever been in that position,” said Coldwell.

“I love Australia, I live here and it’s home for me so it’s really special.”

Jenelle Crooks (Specialized Securitor) rounded out the Tour podium, one minute and 21 seconds in arrears.

Line honours went to Victoria’s Malseed, ahead of Corset and Coldwell.

46 riders started the final race in sunny conditions, and it wasn’t long before a group of six gained a solid two and a half minute advantage on the peloton.

Over the day’s final climb out of Gunns Plains, the group of Malseed, Rebecca Wiasak (High5 Dream Team), Felicity Wardlaw (Bicycle Superstore), Kate Perry (Total Rush), Elizabeth Doueal (Specialized Securitor) and Lisa Keeling (Boss Racing Team) began to falter but managed to maintain a slight advantage on the chasing peloton.

With 10 kilometres left to race, general classification contenders Coldwell, Corset and Crooks attacked the chase group, bridging to the leaders before Malseed herself attacked to clinch victory solo.

“When I saw there was only one kilometre to go, I knew I could make it to the line. It’s my first NRS win and it just feels awesome,” said Malseed.

The series continues with the men’s Tour of Toowoomba on May 21 before the men and women’s Battle on the Border from May 28.

Highlights from the Mersey Valley Tour will be broadcast on the Nine Network’s GEM channel on Sunday, May 10 at 12noon AEST and 11.00am AWST and on Fox Sports 5 on Tuesday May 12 at 6:00pm AEST (check local guides).

Text via Cycling Australia Media Release.

Images copyright Caniluna