Avanti Racing’s Neil Van Der Ploeg has added another Launceston Cycling Festival honour to his collection, outsprinting Shannon Johnson (Charter-Mason Giant) to clinch the Midland Tractors kermesse in sunny Longford on Saturday. In the women’s event, Chloe McConville and Sarah Roy bettered High5 Dream Team’s Kendelle Hodges to earn a one-two finish for Orica-AIS.

Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic defending champion Neil Van Der Ploeg looked in ominous form ahead of Sunday’s criterium, winning a bunch sprint after a perfect lead-out from team-mate Pat Shaw. Team Sky’s Nathan Earle had led the race solo for much of the day, yet was caught with several laps to go and had to watch from the peloton as van der Ploeg stormed to victory.

“It was absolutely flat out right from the starter’s gun,” van der Ploeg exclaimed after the race. “A really nice technical course and just an awesome day out.”

van der Ploeg’s love affair with the Launceston Cycling Festival began in 2012, when he won the criterium on his first attempt. A second-place finish followed in 2013, before he bettered the likes of Tour de France winner Chris Froome and Launceston hero Richie Porte to regain the crown last year.

“When I came here in 2012 it was such a great experience,” he explained. “I ended up winning and it was my first ever bunch sprint victory against really top quality opposition. That was a break-through race for me, so I have just kept coming back. And I absolutely love Tasmania, I feel at home when I come here.”

In the women’s kermesse, Orica-AIS bettered High5 Dream Team with a strong performance in warm conditions. A four-rider break enjoyed a large gap from the peloton throughout the race, before McConville launched solo to secure a commanding win.

“I accelerated off the front early and the group split,” she explained. “I was outnumbered with two High5 girls there, but I heard my coach Gene [Bates] yell that Sarah was coming across. That gave us two great options: Sarah is a really good sprinter, so if it came down to a sprint it would be her and if I could get away then it was my chance. With about two laps to go I attacked and managed to stay away!”

While the High5 Dream Team may have had a numerical advantage, they were unable to capitalise against a strong Orica-AIS squad. Yet with National Criterium Champion Kimberley Wells in their ranks, the team were eagerly awaiting Sunday’s race.

“I was outclassed by some really great riders,” admitted High5 Dream Team’s Kendelle Hodges. “It was a bit challenging being on my own at the end there against Sarah and Chloe, but we will try again tomorrow and see what we can do.”

Earlier in the day, Allan Glover took out the A-grade masters race from Julian Paynter and Jason Rigg. Marty Neu beat Jeremy Peters and Steven Earl for B-grade honours, while Tom Watt was the best placed C-grade finisher.

The Launceston Cycling Festival continues tomorrow with the Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic around City Park. Activities will be taking place from 11am onwards, with the elite women’s criterium beginning at 3.25pm and the elite men rolling out at 4.45pm.

Images copyright Danny Graves/ESi Sports Photography