 2024 Negative Split Carbon Women's Tour Winner Lillian Gray | Scottie T Photography CHRIS DUNN / NEGATIVE SPLIT CARBON - As the sun rises over the capital city of Apia, anticipation builds for the start of the 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa. Set against the tropical backdrop of one of the Pacific’s most picturesque nations, this year’s Tour promises a thrilling blend of world-class racing, cultural celebration, and personal endurance. With the support of presenting sponsor Negative Split Carbon and under the stewardship of Sāmoa Events, the event continues its legacy as a premier fixture in Oceania’s cycling calendar.
Founded in 2014, the Tour of Sāmoa is the brainchild of Seti Afoa, who serves both as Race Director and the visionary behind Sāmoa Cycling, the country’s UCI-accredited governing body for the sport. Afoa’s dual role ensures a seamless fusion of local insight and global professionalism, allowing the Tour to grow in both prestige and participation. This year’s edition features some of the biggest names in Southern Hemisphere cycling, including defending Women’s Champion Lillian Gray and decorated cycling veteran Gordon McCauley. The 2025 edition begins on Saturday, August 16, with a compact yet intense prologue time trial in the heart of Apia. Riders will complete two laps of a 1.7-kilometre city circuit, starting and finishing in front of the iconic Sāmoan Government Building. Though short in distance, the 3.4-kilometre prologue is anything but casual. Technical corners, high-speed straights, and roaring support from Apia’s locals will set the tone for the week-long contest ahead. With general classification positions on the line from the first pedal stroke, precision and power will be paramount. Every second will matter. Looking beyond the prologue, riders are bracing for an intensely packed schedule, particularly on Monday, August 18. Stage 1 begins with a neutralised 26-kilometre roll-out from the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia to Falefa, followed by a 42-kilometre stage over Lemafa Pass to the Sinalei Resort. This stage also doubles as the Sāmoa national road championship, adding an extra layer of prestige and pressure. Just hours later, Stage 2 will challenge riders with a 35-kilometre route from Sinalei Resort to Aleisā, culminating in a gruelling climb up the Cross Island Road. It’s the kind of day that could shake the leaderboard early and reward the most resilient climbers. Tuesday, August 19, offers a change of pace with Stage 3, a relatively flat 33-kilometre ride from Apia to Mulifanua, after which the entire tour will board a ferry to the island of Savai’i. There, Stage 4 begins later that same day with a 46-kilometre route from Salelologa to Manase. This stretch offers some respite to sprinters, and the scenic ride along Savai’i’s northern coastline will be as visually rewarding as it is physically demanding. That evening, the peloton will be welcomed with traditional hospitality by the family at Tanu Beach Fales in Manase, an experience that blends Sāmoan culture with the camaraderie of the cycling world. Stage 5 on Wednesday, August 20, presents a race against the clock. A 31-kilometre individual time trial from Manase to a remote inland finish near Asau will demand everything riders have in terms of pacing, technique, and self-belief. This solitary test could be a turning point in the Tour and will play a crucial role in reshaping the General Classification standings. The intensity escalates on Thursday, August 21, with the longest stage of the race. Stage 6 covers 54 undulating kilometres from Asau to Taga, beginning with a steep climb that sets the tone for a rugged, leg-breaking journey. That afternoon, Stage 7 delivers the final competitive push—a 35-kilometre flat dash from Taga to Salelologa. While not as punishing in elevation, the speed and stakes will be high as it represents the last official race stage before two ceremonial days. Following a well-earned rest at Amoa Resort, some riders may take on the unofficial 180-kilometre challenge of circumnavigating Savai’i, while others opt for recovery or a casual coastal ride. The Tour then concludes with Stages 8 and 9 on Saturday, August 23. These non-competitive, ceremonial rides from Amoa to Salelologa and from Mulifanua to Apia celebrate not only the athletic achievement but the spirit of unity, culture, and exploration that defines the Tour of Sāmoa. Weather could play a pivotal role across the stages. August in Sāmoa typically brings warm temperatures hovering around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius, with intermittent tropical showers. Humidity will be high, demanding careful hydration and heat management from every rider. Seti Afoa has summed up the ethos of the event best: “This Tour blends sport, culture, and environment. Every turn—from Apia’s bustling streets to volcanic ridgelines—tells Sāmoa’s story.” It’s a story that will unfold over nine stages, two islands, and hundreds of kilometres, with a new chapter written every day. As the riders take their marks for the Prologue, the road ahead is filled with possibility. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines, following online, or cheering from afar, one thing is certain: the Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa is back—and it’s ready to deliver an unforgettable journey.
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