The future of Australian Women's Cycling

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We cant do it without you.

For Praties Cycling to continue to develop the next generation of Australian Women's Riders.

For over 25 years, Praties Cycling has been a driving force in Australian cycling, a place where raw talent is nurtured into world-class ability. We’re not just a team; we’re a legacy. Our mission has always been to provide a clear pathway for Australia's best domestic riders to reach the professional World Tour, and we've been incredibly successful. Over the past 15 years, we have helped 17 riders make the leap to the highest level of the sport. These riders include some of Australia's biggest names, such as Richie Porte, Nathan Earle, Steele Von Hoff, Chris Hamilton, Jack Haig, and Ben O'Connor, who recently won a stage at the 2025 Tour de France.

In recent years, we've sharpened our focus on a crucial area: domestic women's cycling. We recognized a gap in the sport and committed ourselves to creating a powerhouse team for female athletes. For the last three years, we've dedicated our resources to building a supportive, high-performance environment for women. This isn’t just about winning races; it’s about providing the coaching, equipment, and race-day support that allows our riders to fully focus on their development and chase their dreams.

Our Impact: More Than Just Medals

Your support directly translates into tangible opportunities for our athletes. Over the past three seasons, your generosity has helped us:

● Elevate riders onto the global stage: We've seen riders flourish under our guidance, with some being picked up by international professional teams. This is the ultimate testament to the work we do. In the past few years alone, we have proudly watched Felicity Wilson-Haffenden graduate to the World Tour with Lidl-Trek and Emily Watts secure a spot on the French professional team St Michel-Auber93, where she competed at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. We have also had the honour of supporting Nicole Duncan, a multiple junior world track champion, on her journey.

● Create a culture of success: We provide a professional setup that mirrors what riders will experience on the World Tour, giving them a crucial head start. This includes everything from team accommodation and nutrition support to top-of-the-line bikes and gear.

● Give back to the cycling community: By fostering a strong women's team, we inspire the next generation of young riders. When they see our athletes competing and succeeding, they know there's a clear path for them to follow.

A Landmark Year: 2025 Highlights

This year has been nothing short of phenomenal for our women's program, showcasing the direct results of our efforts and your support. We are incredibly proud to highlight some of our 2025 achievements:

● International Representation: This year, we're celebrating multiple riders who have earned the right to wear the green and gold. Tully Schweitzer has been selected to represent Australia at the Junior Road World Championships, and her teammate Ruby Taylor has also been selected to race for Australia at the Junior Mountain Bike World Championships. Additionally, Sophie Marr and Talia Appleton have both been selected to compete for Australia at the prestigious Tour de l'Avenir, a key development race for the world's best young riders.

● Domestic Dominance: We have asserted our position as a leading force in domestic racing by dominating the inaugural Pro Velo SuperLeague, a series designed to elevate Australian cycling.

● Professional Pathways: Our success in the Pro Velo SuperLeague has already paved the way for another one of our riders. We are thrilled to announce that Sophie Marr will be riding for the Jayco AlUla Development Team in 2026, a direct stepping stone toward the World Tour.

The Junior Development Pipeline

Our commitment to developing young talent is a core part of our identity. We're proud to see our junior program producing a remarkable stream of riders who are ready for the world stage. In the past three years alone, we have had an incredible five riders selected to compete at the Junior World Championships. This prestigious list includes Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Junior Road Worlds Gold Medalist), Talia Appleton, Nicole Duncan (Dual Junior Track Worlds Gold Medalist), Ruby Taylor, and Tully Schweitzer. This proven track record demonstrates the strength of our development pipeline and the bright future of Australian cycling.

Extending Our Reach: Mountain Biking and Gravel

Recognizing the growing importance of all cycling disciplines, Praties Cycling has expanded our commitment beyond the road. We are proud to have launched a dedicated program for talented mountain bike and gravel riders. This new initiative allows us to nurture athletes who excel off-road, providing them with the same level of professional support, coaching, and equipment that has made our road program so successful. This year, we are particularly proud of the excellent efforts of our mountain bike riders Ruby Taylor and Annie Kleywegt, as well as the strong performance of Talia Appleton in the growing world of gravel racing. Our goal is to create a comprehensive pathway for the next generation of Australian cyclists, whether their path is on asphalt, singletrack, or a winding gravel road.

The Road Ahead: Why We Need Your Help?

Maintaining a top-tier domestic women's team and expanding into new disciplines is a significant financial commitment. The costs of travel, race entries, equipment, and staff support add up quickly. While we have incredible sponsors, we rely on the generosity of our community to cover the remaining costs.

Without your continued support, our ability to provide this critical pathway for women will be compromised. We want to ensure that every talented female rider in Australia has the opportunity to pursue her dreams without financial barriers. Every dollar you donate goes directly into supporting our riders and keeping the Praties Cycling legacy alive for another year.

Please consider donating today to help us continue this vital work. A donation of any amount makes a difference and helps a rider get one step closer to their goals. Thank you for being a part of our journey.