The Tour of Tasmania has been dubbed the grand final of the National Road Series and is deserving of such a compliment.

Arriving on the back of the Stan Siejka Launceston Classic, it completes a week of excellent cycling viewing in the state – although moves are already afoot to reverse that order next year so the week climaxes with the criterium.

Across assorted incarnations over the years, the tour has a proven pedigree of producing future champions not least in its 1999, 2007 and 2009 winners Cadel Evans, Richie Porte and Cam Meyer.

Meanwhile the classic’s honour role features sprinters of the calibre of Robbie McEwen (2003), Matthew Goss (2004, ’07 and ’10) and Caleb Ewan (2013).

Both events are still evolving in order to remain relevant and vibrant.

The second running of the Lawrence Street hill challenge and return of running to the program kept the entertainment ticking over at the classic.

And while lack of numbers diluted the women’s race, the tour reversed that trend by introducing a sister race.

With just 27 making it to the finish line in Devonport, there is clearly room for improvement, but it was a positive step and hopefully can begin to emulate the success and standing of the men’s race.

In addition to the numerous opportunities to spectate, the two events provide superb motivation to participate and there could be no greater motivator than the winner of the inaugural women’s tour. 

In 2014, Justine Barrow was a 35-year-old Melburnian focusing on study and work who wanted to do more exercise and, by her own admission, “ran a bit, but not very well”.

She joined Coburg Cycling Club with her husband who henceforth became her training partner.

“I joined just to do some social riding,” she said. “I had no idea about racing but entered a D-grade criterium in Campbellfield and won $50 as the first woman and was hooked.

“Since then I’ve loved cycling. It just got into my blood.”

Barrow has won national and world masters titles and raced in the US with Roxsalt this year but, entering the first women’s Tour of Tasmania as a 39-year-old unsupported individual, flew under most radars.

After twice leading home young classification winner Jaime Gunning, who is half her age, Barrow is a persuasive advocate for the timelessness of competitive sport. 

She believes not having had a lengthy career means her body is not as battle-weary as most of her rivals. 

“Cycling is one of the sports that has the most longevity, particularly for women.

“There are plenty of women aged 30 to 50 involved that are extremely competitive.”

To prove her point, Barrow cites Edwige Pitel, who was the third place-getter in the Tour of Gila in the US at the age of 51, won the French road race title as recently as 2016 and has since competed in world championships.

However, Barrow reckons there is another reason why she was able to see off all the young whipper-snappers.

“Really it’s because I just want it more.”