The 2025 Tour of Sāmoa came to a fitting conclusion on Saturday with the ceremonial “victory ride” into Apia, where riders were cheered to the line after a gruelling week on the roads of Upolu and Savai’i. The neutralised finale gave the peloton time to reflect on a tour filled with fierce competition, friendships forged in the heat, and memories that will linger long after the jerseys are packed away.


When the dust settled, Cliff Hughes of Palmerston North was crowned men’s champion, while Lillian Gray of Hamilton City Cycling Club successfully defended her women’s crown, going back-to-back in Samoa’s biggest cycling event.


Gray proved the standout in the women’s race, claiming four stage wins and cementing her status as the dominant force in the peloton. Her consistency across the week saw her finish nearly 50 minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Pamela McCauley, who herself took two stage victories. Vicky Cairns completed the women’s overall podium in third place.


In the men’s race, Hughes’s strength and steady riding over seven hard stages gave him the decisive edge. He sealed two stage victories along the way and held off Marlo Rodil (second overall) and Mark Gray (third) in the general classification. The most prolific stage winner of the tour, however, was David Whyman, who lit up the race with three victories — a performance that underlined both his tactical nous and raw power.


For the host nation, the standout story came from Hastings Salanoa, who wore the red jersey as the leading Samoan rider from start to finish. Salanoa’s consistency, highlighted by a second place in the opening prologue, captured the imagination of the local cycling community. His efforts were recognised with a new racing bike, a prize that symbolises both his personal achievement and the bright future of the sport in Samoa.


Race Director Seti Afoa praised the riders and the growing strength of the event:


“Cycling in Sāmoa has come of age in this tour with the first local rider wearing the yellow jersey on the tour. This is a big achievement for the sport and the tour. We have two excellent champions in Cliff and Lillian, and it is very pleasing to see Lillian defend her title. She has been an excellent champion for the tour in the last twelve months. The future of the tour is secure with so much excitement among the riding crew and the tour community that keeps growing each year. This tour is a big event for the country, for tourism, for the sport. Seeing racing of this quality in Sāmoa is outstanding.”

Beyond the racing, the week-long event showcased the unique camaraderie that makes the Tour of Sāmoa special. Riders from New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, and Samoa battled on the road but shared laughter, meals, and stories off it — embodying the spirit of the tour as much as the jerseys and stage wins.


Now in its third year under the naming rights partnership with Negative Split Carbon, the Tour of Sāmoa has firmly established itself as the premier cycling event in the nation. The 2025 edition will be remembered for its scorching conditions, thrilling stage battles, and the joy of seeing both international riders and local talent shine together on Samoan roads.


As the peloton rolled into Apia for the ceremonial finish, it wasn’t just about who wore yellow or pink — it was about celebrating cycling in Samoa, and the promise that next year will be even bigger.

The Tour of Sāmoa served up a spectacular double-header on Thursday, with Stage 6 from Asau to Taga and Stage 7 from Taga back to Salelologa completing the riders’ circuit of Savai’i. By the end of the day it was New Zealander David Whyman who emerged as the man of the moment, claiming victories in both stages to underline his growing strength late in the tour.


Stage 6 opened with a punishing climb straight out of Asau, testing tired legs under the already-rising sun. Whyman rose to the challenge, driving clear on the undulating roads to Taga and holding his advantage to secure the win. In the women’s race, Pamela McCauley produced her best ride of the tour, powering over the climbs to take the stage win ahead of pink jersey leader Lillian Gray.


The afternoon brought Stage 7, a flat and fast run into Salelologa, the final competitive test of this year’s tour. The men’s race saw relentless aggression from veteran Gordon McCauley, who launched multiple attacks in a bid to unseat the yellow jersey contenders. His efforts whittled down the bunch but set the stage for a decisive sprint. At the line, Whyman timed his effort perfectly to edge out overall leader Cliff Hughes, with Chris Dunn taking third.


The women’s race unfolded differently. Rather than coming down to a sprint, Lillian Gray seized the opportunity to reaffirm her dominance, going clear on the run-in to Salelologa and taking the win — her fourth stage victory of the tour.


With competitive racing now complete, Hughes retains the men’s yellow jersey, Gray remains comfortably in pink, and local star Hastings Salanoa continues to wear the red jersey as leading Samoan rider. The peloton now enjoys a well-earned rest day at Amoa Resort, where riders will recover in their own ways — some with coffee rides, others with a full circumnavigation of Savai’i, and many simply with a chance to put their feet up.


On Saturday, the tour will close with its ceremonial finale: two neutralised stages back to Apia, including the “victory ride” through the capital. The jerseys are now secured, but the memories of a dramatic week of racing will linger long after the peloton crosses the line for the final time.

The 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa reached its midway point on Wednesday with Stage 5, a 31-kilometre individual time trial from Manase to the hills inland of Asau. Riders faced not only the clock but also searing conditions, with road temperatures climbing to 37 degrees Celsius — a brutal contrast for athletes who only weeks ago were training in New Zealand’s winter. By the end of the stage, Cliff Hughes had tightened his grip on the yellow jersey, while Lillian Gray continued her domination in pink.


The men’s race against the clock belonged to Hughes of Palmerston North, who set the day’s fastest time of 55 minutes and 34 seconds. His measured pacing and resilience in the heat saw him finish 51 seconds ahead of Mark Gray of Hamilton City Cycling Club, with Marlo Rodil of GMC Cycling third at one minute and 29 seconds back. It was a commanding performance that not only gave Hughes the stage win but also strengthened his hold on the General Classification. He now leads Rodil by four minutes, 11 seconds, with Gray in third at seven minutes, 38 seconds behind.


In the women’s time trial, defending champion Lillian Gray once again proved untouchable. Riding with her usual calm precision, she clocked one hour, 10 minutes and 46 seconds — more than five minutes faster than second-placed Vicky Cairns of NZ Cycling and nearly 11 minutes ahead of Pamela McCauley of GMC Cycling in third. Gray’s performance extended her General Classification advantage to a massive 48 minutes over McCauley, with Cairns a further six minutes back in third.


The extreme heat was the day’s defining factor. On the exposed coastal roads before the climb inland, the tarmac shimmered in the midday sun, and riders battled not just the gradients but the conditions. Many crossed the line exhausted, heads bowed, bodies dripping with sweat. For the overseas contingent, it was a stark reminder that Sāmoa’s roads can punish as much as they inspire.


Among the locals, Hastings Salanoa once again carried the red jersey with pride. He completed the time trial in one hour, three minutes and 35 seconds — a strong ride under the circumstances and one that ensured he continues as the leading Samoan rider on General Classification.


So at the close of Stage 5, the picture is clear: Hughes in yellow, Gray in pink, and Salanoa in red. But with two stages to come on Thursday, the Tour is far from over. Stage 6, a 54-kilometre battle from Asau to Taga, begins brutally with a steep climb and features undulating terrain that could open gaps among the leaders. Later that day, Stage 7 — a fast, flat 35-kilometre run into Salelologa — offers one final chance for sprinters and opportunists before the ceremonial rides bring the peloton back to Apia.


The heat of Asau may have tested every rider, but the decisive stages still lie ahead. For those chasing Hughes and Gray, Thursday is the last chance to change the story of this Tour.

The peloton of the 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa shifted islands on Tuesday and with it came fresh storylines, bold attacks, and a mix of new and familiar winners. Stages 3 and 4 took the riders from Upolu to Savai’i, offering contrasting tests — a flat sprint-friendly road to the ferry in the morning and a longer coastal stage into Manase in the afternoon. By the end of the day, Cliff Hughes still wore yellow, Lillian Gray remained untouchable in pink, and the race had two new stage winners to celebrate.


Stage 3, a 33-kilometre dash from Apia to Mulifanua, was expected to favour the sprinters. Instead, it was decided by daring aggression. Auckland’s Malcolm Lochhead launched an early attack, gambling that the bunch would hesitate. It was a bold move — and it paid off. With the chasing pack unable to close the gap, Lochhead powered across the line to take his first ever stage win at the Tour of Sāmoa. Behind him, veteran Gordon McCauley led the pursuit and claimed second, while Mark Gray rounded out the podium in third.


The women’s race saw a shake-up as well. Pamela McCauley seized her chance in the sprint, outsprinting defending champion Lillian Gray to take her maiden stage victory. Gray, who had dominated the opening days, settled for second, while Vicky Cairns secured third. It was a result that added intrigue to the women’s contest, even as Gray’s overall lead remained unthreatened.


After a quick ferry transfer, Stage 4 began on the island of Savai’i, where the riders tackled a 46-kilometre route from Salelologa to Manase. The terrain was flatter, but the pace was furious, and it was Jason Ward of Auckland who lit up the afternoon with a powerful solo break. Ward’s strength and commitment earned him a stage victory that he described as “one of the hardest but most rewarding rides I’ve done.” Behind him, former yellow jersey holder David Whyman finished second, with current leader Hughes sprinting in for third to maintain his grip on the overall classification.


In the women’s race, normal service resumed as Lillian Gray powered to another victory, ahead of Pamela McCauley in second and Cairns once again in third. With three stage wins from four days, Gray continues to look untouchable as she defends her title.


The jersey standings were unchanged at the end of Day Two. Hughes remains in yellow as the overall leader, Gray stays in pink, and Samoa’s own Hastings Salanoa continues to wear the red jersey as the top local rider. Salanoa’s consistency has been a source of pride for the home crowd, who cheered loudly as the peloton arrived in Manase to be hosted in traditional style at Tanu Beach Fales.


The riders now prepare for Stage 5, the Tour’s first individual time trial, a 31-kilometre test from Manase to a finish inland of Asau. Against the clock, every weakness is exposed, and with Hughes, Whyman, Ward, and McCauley all within striking distance of each other, Wednesday could mark a turning point in the race for yellow.

The first two road stages of the 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa delivered everything the event has come to be known for: fierce racing, unpredictable conditions, and history-making moments for local riders. From the sunlit climb of Le Mafa Pass to a sodden, rain-lashed finish at Aleisā, the yellow jersey has already changed shoulders twice, and the Tour is only just beginning.


Saturday’s Prologue in Apia saw local favourite Hastings Salanoa make history as the first Sāmoan to wear the yellow jersey into Stage 1. On Monday morning, as the peloton rolled out of Apia at dawn, Salanoa led the field proudly alongside women’s pink jersey holder Lillian Gray and red jersey wearer Lasi Salanoa. In a symbolic moment, the trio guided the peloton through their home village of Falefā, with the Mountain Boyz Cycling Club and Bike Samoa’s Wally Collins riding directly behind them in a show of community pride.


After a ceremonial pause at Falefā Falls, the neutral kilometres ended and racing began in earnest. The 42-kilometre route over the notorious Le Mafa Pass quickly broke the peloton into pieces. A leading group of Gordon McCauley, Mark Gray, David Whyman, Marlo Rodil, and Cliff Hughes surged to the front. Hughes launched the day’s first major attack, carving out a sizeable gap as the road turned inland. But misfortune struck when he was held up behind a slow vehicle, allowing the group to reel him back. The stage ended in a fast sprint at Siumu, where Whyman from Snells Beach, New Zealand, edged out McCauley, Rodil, Hughes, and Gray to take both the win and the yellow jersey.


If Whyman thought he would enjoy a comfortable hold on the leader’s jersey, the afternoon stage had other plans. The second stage from Sinalei Resort to Aleisā, raced under torrential rain, proved decisive. The downpour reduced visibility but also cooled riders as they ground their way up the punishing Cross Island Road. The weather played to the strengths of the hardmen, and once again it was Hughes and Gray who forced the pace. The pair broke clear of the field, with Hughes sprinting to victory at the summit, just one second ahead of Gray. The result gave Hughes the overall race lead heading into Day Two, while Whyman relinquished his short-lived hold on yellow.


In the women’s race, 2024 champion Lillian Gray showed no sign of weakness, winning both stages to consolidate her hold on the pink jersey. “The rain was brutal but in some ways it helped—it kept us cooler on the climb,” she said at the finish. “It’s only the start, but I’m happy with how I’m feeling.”


On the local leaderboard, fortunes swung dramatically. After Stage 1, Wally Collins of Bike Samoa had opened up a seven-minute gap on Hastings Salanoa. But Stage 2 turned the tables, with Salanoa putting more than 20 minutes into Collins, who suffered mechanical issues in the rain. That performance crowned Salanoa as the new Sāmoa Cycling Road Champion. Meanwhile, red jersey holder Lasi Salanoa suffered a heavy crash in Stage 1 after colliding with a dog. He was treated immediately by fellow rider Dr. Lillian Gray and tour medic Brenda Reid before being taken to hospital for checks.


Race Director Seti Afoa reflected on the day with pride. “It was a landmark moment to see a local rider in yellow for the first time,” he said. “We made sure that milestone was celebrated in Falefā, and the way Hastings and Lasi led the peloton through their village will stay in people’s memories. After that, the racing took over, and we’ve already seen the kind of drama and determination that makes this event so special.”


Tomorrow’s action sees the peloton tackle two stages on different islands. Stage 3 is a flat 33-kilometre dash from Apia to Mulifanua, likely to favour the sprinters. The riders will then board the ferry to Savai’i for Stage 4, a 46-kilometre coastal route from Salelologa to Manase. After the punishing climbs and rain of Monday, these stages offer a chance for fast men and breakaway specialists to shine before the first time trial looms on Wednesday.


The Tour of Sāmoa is only three stages old, but with Hughes in yellow, Gray in pink, and Hastings Salanoa carrying both local pride and a national title, the story of this race is already shaping into one of the most memorable in its history.

Apia - Chris Dunn

The 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa officially began on Saturday evening with a short but spirited Prologue in Apia, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling week of racing. The 1.2-kilometre individual time trial, raced through the capital’s streets and finishing at the iconic Sāmoan Government Building, delivered drama, speed, and history from the very first pedal stroke.

The fastest time of the evening belonged to New Zealand’s Kurt Coetzee of Whangārei, who stormed around the course in a blistering one minute and 53 seconds. However, Coetzee, who is in Samoa as a mechanic rather than a full tour rider, will not feature in the General Classification. That meant the spotlight shifted to the next man on the timing sheet—and it lit up local talent in a way never seen before at this event.

Just two seconds behind Coetzee was Samoa’s own Hastings Salanoa of the Mountain Boyz Cycling Club. His time of one minute and 55 seconds secured him second overall in the Prologue but, more importantly, earned him the honour of wearing the yellow leader’s jersey when racing begins on Monday. For the first time in the history of the Tour of Sāmoa, a local rider will start Stage 1 as the race leader, marking a proud moment for the nation’s cycling community.

In the women’s category, defending champion Lillian Gray picked up right where she left off last year. The New Zealander produced a winning time of two minutes and 16 seconds, enough to secure the pink jersey for Day 1. Gray will begin her title defence from the front of the peloton, confident and clearly in strong form.
Adding further excitement to the opening day is the introduction of a new Local Leader’s Jersey. This red jersey will recognise the top-placed Sāmoan rider across the General Classification. Since Salanoa now wears yellow as the overall leader, the red jersey will pass to the next local rider, creating an extra layer of prestige for the homegrown athletes. That honour looks set to fall to either Wally or Tyreece of Bike Samoa, the father-and-son duo who finished impressively in fifth and sixth place in the Prologue.

Race Director Seti Afoa praised the opening night’s effort, noting both the competitive spirit and the strong showing of local riders. “The main role of the time trial this year was to establish our first jersey leaders,” he said. “It was fantastic to see Hastings step into the yellow jersey, a first for Samoa, and to welcome our local riders from Bike Samoa and the Mountain Boyz alongside international talent. It was a wonderful prologue.”
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With the jerseys settled and history already made, the attention now turns to Monday’s double stage. Stage 1 will see riders leave Apia for a 26-kilometre neutral section before the racing begins in earnest at Falefa. From there, the peloton faces a challenging 42-kilometre ride over the punishing Lemafa Pass to the Sinalei Resort, which doubles as the Sāmoa national road championship. Later that same day, Stage 2 takes the riders inland on a 35-kilometre route from Sinalei to Aleisā, culminating in the steep ascent of the Cross Island Road. With jerseys already on the shoulders of a local hero and a defending champion, and with the toughest roads of Sāmoa still ahead, the stage is set for a dramatic opening day of racing.