Wollaston sprints to first FDJ-Suez victory in inaugural Surf Coast Classic

Ally Wollaston 2025 Women's Surf Coast Classic (Getty)

The Women’s Surf Coast Classic delivered a gripping start to the weekโ€™s racing in Australia, with Ally Wollaston sprinting to victory in Torquay. The FDJ-Suez rider outsprinted Chloe Dygert and Georgia Baker at the end of a tough 118.6km course, claiming the first win of the season for her team.

The race began in the coastal town of Lorne, but the riders were quickly thrown into a 10km climb that set an early tone of attrition. UAE Team ADQ were aggressive on the front, launching multiple attacks that stretched the peloton and forced several splits. While no moves were able to stick, the pressure saw several riders dropped, including Maike van der Duin, Silvia Zanardi, and Tiffany Cromwell, who faced an early chase back into the bunch.

With 70km remaining, a group of 20 riders broke clear, but their advantage was short-lived as the peloton reeled them back in. The next attack came from Julie van de Velde, who built a lead of 30 seconds with 55km to go. Her solo effort was also short-lived, as she was caught before the feed zone with 43km remaining.

As the race neared the coast, crosswinds threatened to disrupt the bunch, but no significant splits occurred. The peloton remained largely intact with 10km to go, setting up a fast and tense finish into Torquay. Several late attacks were attempted, but the race ultimately came down to a bunch sprint.

Wollastonโ€™s FDJ-Suez teammates delivered her into position perfectly, while Dygert had to adjust after Van der Duin, the teamโ€™s intended sprinter, lost ground on the climb. In the final surge to the line, Wollaston proved strongest, taking a decisive victory.

Post-race reactions

Reflecting on her victory, Wollaston spoke about her growing confidence this season. โ€œI felt really, really strong today,โ€ she said. โ€œIn the last few races maybe I’ve struggled mentally, I think, to really stay present in the race and stay attentive and be confident enough that I’m good enough to be there in the final. Today, as soon as I started climbing, I knew I had a good shot at the win.โ€

Dygert, who finished second, admitted that even under perfect conditions she would have struggled to match Wollaston. โ€œI was kind of on my own there, so surfing a little bit, and I had to come the long way around but even sprinting against Ally, I think she still would have gotten me even if I had a perfect day.โ€

Georgia Baker secured third place, marking her second podium finish this week after also taking second at the Schwalbe One Day Classic in Adelaide. For Baker, these results were a major milestone after a long recovery from a concussion sustained in September. โ€œGetting back after my injury at the end of last year, I thought my role would be as more of a domestique over the summer, but these opportunities came up within the team and I’m just really happy to be on the podium,โ€ she said. โ€œIt’s a really good sign for the team for the year ahead.โ€

2025 Women’s Surf Coast Classic result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Main photo credit: Getty