TERMS AND CONDITIONS
*Limited to one $25 food and beverage credit per stay. Offer valid for stays between 3 Jan – 10 Jan ’19. Food and beverage credit must be used during your stay with unused portion forfeited.

The FedUni Road Nationals championships return to Mount Buninyong in 2019 with Australia’s best cyclists hitting the mountain in pursuit of being crowned national road race champion.

Thousands of spectators in the middle of their summer break traditionally line the 11.6km course loop cheering the riders through a suffer-fest described by local male competitor Liam White as being far removed from a holiday.

“The road race is definitely one of the toughest, if not the toughest one day race we will do all year. The course is obviously quite hilly with each of the 16 laps of the men’s race incorporating a six minute climb,” Liam White said.  

“With the multiple laps, it is much like a Belgian Kermesse race however you would never find anything this hilly in Belgium. Usually in Australia we will do races with no more than five to six multiple laps but 185km incorporating 16 laps - ouch.”

The feature of the Road Nats course is the Mt Buninyong climb which White describes as “a corridor of noise that sends spine tingling sensations through your whole body akin to something you might find at the Tour de France.”

The climb however isn’t a place for riders to get too caught up in emotion and reflection. According to Federation University Australia’s Exercise Science senior lecturer Brendan O’Brien, the climb has the potential to make or break a rider’s race as competitors grapple with an age old scientific concept.

“Because the gradient is quite steep the simple effects of gravity on the body are huge. The body is required to generate more force to maintain the pace and effort required to stay with other riders on the course, Brendan O’Brien said.

“In turn this extra force necessitates recruitment of fast twitch fibres resulting in more anaerobic metabolism making the muscles more acidic which ultimately leaves riders feeling the burn with each punishing lap.”

This burn doesn’t finish at the top of the climb. What follows is a grind across the top of the mountain as riders jostle for best position for the Gear Avenue descent into Fed Uni’s Mt Helen campus where riders such as Liam White will hit in excess of 80 kmph.

“The descent requires high concentration not only because of the speeds you reach but also your tactical positioning,” Liam White said.

“Once you get to the Fed Uni grounds the peloton is usually strung out and it is important to put yourself as close to the front of the race as possible because after leaving the campus there is a 2 km drag race back into the township of Buninyong before you get set to do it all over again.”

Whilst the road race is tough, for White, also an Exercise Science at Federation University, it’s a part of what he describes as an ‘unreal’ week for Ballarat cycling. “I love the course and the opportunity to race in front of my friends and family. To see them watching on the sidelines and cheering you on makes it unique – especially 16 times in one race. I can’t wait.”

The 2019 FedUni RoadNats, officially launched at the Federation University Australia campus in Ballarat today, will see Australia’s best under 19, under 23, elite and para-cyclists battle for the coveted green and gold national champions jerseys in the criterium, road race and time trial.
 
The Friday night will kick-start the festivities celebrating local produce in a carnival-like atmosphere with live entertainment. However, the showstopper will be the exciting, action-packed criterium races.

On the first weekend in January, the iconic Mt Buninyong circuit will host an exciting weekend of road racing with Australia’s finest para-cyclists and future champions in the under 19 categories racing on Saturday. Sunday will see Australia’s elite and under 23 cyclists racing to see who will win right to wear the green and gold jersey.

Ballarat and surrounds have become the ultimate New Year destination for cycling enthusiasts. 2019 will see an extra long weekend of cycling with Buninyong hosting the time trials on Monday and Tuesday.  

Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake welcomed the revamped schedule, “We’re excited to see the weekend kick off with the fun and action-packed crit and can’t wait to see thousands of fans turn up to watch. Over the last 12 years, the Ballarat community has really gotten behind the event, and we can’t wait to ring in the new cycling year with them.”

Minister for Tourism and Sport John Eren “We’re proud to have locked in this event for Ballarat. The revamped schedule will see the best of Australia's top under 19, under 23, elite, para and club cyclists go up a gear.”

"This is just one of the headline events to feature in Victoria's Summer of Cycling bonanza which also features the Bay Cycling Classic and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race"

"What better way to attract the fans, boost tourism and bolster Victoria's reputation as the place to see top cycling ."

Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh "We're so proud of the growth of this wonderful event over the years and look forward to seeing the thousands of cycling fans return to Ballarat over January 4-8.

"There is no doubt the scheduling changes for 2019 give the event new tourism appeal by providing our visitors with an opportunity to stay for longer over five consecutive days.

"We're also extremely excited to see our para-cyclists taking centre stage on Mount Buninyong. The 2019 RoadNats is shaping up to be best yet!"

FedUni Vice Chancellor and President Helen Bartlett added, “Federation University Australia is delighted to continue its close relationship with Cycling Australia,” 

“As one of the nation’s leading sports science universities, it is fitting that the course of this summer’s Road Nats once again will run through our Mt Helen Campus. Our staff and students are looking forward to this amazing event.​

ABOUT FEDUNI ROADNATS

The 2019 FedUni RoadNats will run 4-8 January 2019 in Ballarat and Buninyong, Victoria. Australia’s top under 19, under 23, elite, para and club cyclists, will battle for the coveted green and gold national champions jerseys in the criterium, road race and time trial.  
​
The five-day festival of cycling also boasts a number of participation and community events also set to feature, highlighted by the MS National Fondo.

SCHEDULE 

Friday 4 January – Ballarat

• Criterium: U19 Women; U19 Men; U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men 
• Fixed Gear Nats
• Club Team Criterium

Saturday 5 January – Buninyong

• MS National Gran Fondo as part of the 2019 Federation University Road National Championships
• ​Road Races: Para all categories; U19 Women, U19 Men; U23 Men

Sunday 6 January – Buninyong

• Road Races: U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men

Monday 7 January – Buninyong

• Club Team Time Trial​
• Time Trials: Para all categories; U19 - Women; U19 Men

Tuesday 8 January – Buninyong

• C1 Para ITT - Para all categories
• Time Trials: U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men
• Schools Time Trial​

Beyond the podium however the event provides a unique opportunity for people who are not necessarily professional cyclists to hone their skills and abilities in a range of different settings critical to the event’s success.

Volunteers plays a huge role in the delivery of any event but particularly the FedUni Road National Championships, an event that has a myriad of roles, responsibilities and logistics attached to it.

One volunteer at the 2018 edition of the race was Federation University Australia student Emma Powell, who was able to combine her Bachelor of Sport Management studies at the Mt Helen Campus with an event services assistant role at the event.

“I had heard about the opportunity at one of my lectures. I had been attending the event every year as a spectator ever since I moved to Ballarat in 2010 and always enjoyed the experience and thought of it as a very professional event that I should get involved with,” Emma explained.

Emma registered her interest online and was then approached by volunteer co-ordinators and given the green light to gain practical experience in an area of keen career interest.

As an event services assistant Emma’s role saw her doing everything from registering athletes on race days to collecting and delivering lunches for staff out on the course.

“I also did different things like providing support to the race commentators, assisting with presentations and setting up and pulling down the stage after presentations – even getting doused in champagne!,” she said.

“It made me feel proud of myself and my work to know I could be of value at an elite sporting event. I learnt that my studies and other university practical experiences were transferrable into a professional working environment.”

In 2019, the FedUni Road National Championships in conjunction with GTR events and Cycling Australia will provide opportunities for anyone keen to join the team responsible for delivering Australia’s greatest weekend of competitive cycling - something Emma is already excited about.

“If you put the work in and show you are passionate about event management the crew at GTR will support you and provide unique development opportunities that not only challenge you to develop your work practices but also look great on a resume,” Emma said. 

So whether you are studying, looking for work experience or just want to be more than a spectator, why not volunteer at the 2019 FedUni Road National Championships.

The variety of roles on offer could see you gain new skills and experience coupled with the satisfaction in knowing you were a part of the team that got the FedUni 2019 Road Nationals wheels turning.
​
Whether it be for a day, a week or a month visit: https://gtr.rosterfy.co/register to register your interest or contact GTR events via: workforce@gtrevents.com.au.

Written by Oscar Owens 

Cycling Australia’s clubs will have their chance to battle for the coveted green & gold national champion’s jersey at the 2019 Club Team Time Trial and Criterium National Championships in Ballarat.

To be held as part of the 2019 FedUni RoadNats, the Club Championships will offer teams of three or four club racers the opportunity to race on the famous courses just hours before Australia's elite. 

The Club Team Criterium will be one of the first national championships awarded in the new year, with the clubs to take over the Ballarat CBD criterium course on the afternoon of Friday 4 January.

On Monday 7 January, the FedUni RoadNats Championships will sign off for 2019 with the afternoon Club Team Time Trial on the challenging Buninyong course.

In 2018, 20 teams representing 15 Australian clubs took part in the inaugural Championships, with each category won by a different club.  

The Club Team Championships provide the perfect long weekend away of racing, riding and watching at the 2019 FedUni RoadNats Championships. Teams will be able to catch all the spectacular action of the elite and para-cycling races, take on the club teams, ride the MS Gran Fondo, while also enjoying the hospitality and amenities that the famous Ballarat region has to offer.

Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake and Chair Duncan Murray are both confirmed starters for the Club Championships.

“The Club Championships provides a great chance for our members to challenge and immerse themselves during the FedUni RoadNats week,” said Drake. “I will also be riding the MS National Fondo on Saturday, so I look forward to a great weekend of riding, racing and watching.”

The FedUni Road National Championships will run 4-8 January 2019 in Ballarat and Buninyong. Australia’s best under 19, under 23, elite, para and club cyclists, will battle for the coveted green and gold national champions jerseys in the criterium, road race and time trial.  

A host of participation and community events will also feature at the 2019 FedUni RoadNats, highlighted by the MS National Fondo.  

2019 Club Team Time Trial & Criterium National Championships

Club Team Criterium

• Friday 4 January 2019
• Event Type: Criterium
• Entry Fees: $75 + payment card fee (per team)
• Entries close: midnight Friday 28 December 2018
• Eligible Membership Categories:  Elite, Masters
• Location: Sturt St, Ballarat, Victoria

Club Team Time Trial

• Monday 7 January 2019
• Event Type: Team Time Trial
• Entry Fees: $75 + payment card fee (per team)
• Entries close: midnight Friday 28 December 2018
• Eligible Membership Categories: Elite, Masters
• Location: Buninyong, Victoria. 29.5km course.

Find out more or enter here!

Visit the roadnationals.org.au for more details.

Cycling Australia is proud to announce a new schedule for the 2019 FedUni Road National Championships, with an exciting five-day program set to kick off on Friday 4 January with the action packed and crowd friendly criterium races.

The FedUni RoadNats will see Australia’s best under 19, under 23, elite and para cyclists battle for the coveted green and gold national champions jerseys in the criterium, road race and time trial.

The iconic Mt Buninyong circuit will host a mouthwatering weekend of road racing, with Australia’s finest para-cyclists and future champions in the under 19 categories to feature on Saturday, with the traditional Sunday featuring the finest elite and under 23 riders in the country.

Ballarat and surrounds have rightly become the ultimate New Year destination for all cycling enthusiasts with Buninyong set to host an extra long weekend of cycling with the time trials scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.  

Further announcements regarding courses, distances, additional racing and recreational opportunities and community events, and broadcast information will be announced over the coming months. 

Visit www.roadnationals.org.au for event information. 

SNAPSHOT

2019 FedUni Road National Championships, January 4-8, Ballarat, Victoria
​

• Friday 4 Jan – Ballarat Criteriums - U19 Women; U19 Men; U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men
• Saturday 5 Jan – Buninyong Road Races - Para all categories; U19 Women, U19 Men; U23 Men
• Sunday 6 Jan – Buninyong Road Races - U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men
• Monday 7 Jan – Buninyong Time Trials - Para all categories; U19 Women; U19 Men
• Tuesday 8 Jan – Buninyong Time Trials - U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men

Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake

“Building on the great reputation of the FedUni RoadNats, we are continually looking at ways to energise the Championships and create opportunities for everyone to get involved whether it be on your bike or in the crowds.

“We believe these changes to the schedule are rider and spectator friendly alike. Come to Ballarat from Friday afternoon and stay for a long weekend of the best that Australian cycling has to offer.

“The elite racing will form part of the broader five-day festival of cycling and we are very excited to be working on a number of new events, some never seen before at the Championships, which we will announce in the coming months.”

Minister for Sport Hon. John Eren
 
“We’re proud to have locked in the RoadNats in Ballarat – because events like these create local jobs, attract visitors and keep businesses busy. 
 
“This fantastic new racing program will no doubt take this famous event up a gear, welcoming more fans and encouraging more Victorians to get active.”  

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh  

“The City of Ballarat has been hosting the Road National Championships for 12 years now, and each year the event just keeps on getting bigger and better as we crown the national champions in a range of different cycling disciplines.

We are delighted with the program changes to the 2019 racing schedule. The Friday night criteriums will kick start an exciting long weekend of racing and will no doubt attract even larger crowds than previous years, providing a significant economic boost to this region just at the start of a new year.”

Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President, Federation University Australia

“Federation University Australia is proud to be the naming right partner with Cycling Australia for the 2019 FedUni Road National Championships and welcome their changes to the racing program.

“The Saturday and Sunday road races through the FedUni Mt Helen campus add a great technical aspect to the RoadNats.

“Along with the many thousands of spectators, our Exercise and Sports Science, and Sports Management students are counting down to January 2019 and the opportunity to work with Cycling Australia at the RoadNats as part of their FedUni degree."

Three-time track world champion Alex Edmondson (SA/Mitchleton-Scott) upstaged his high-profile rivals at the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships on Sunday, joining the likes of Sir Hubert Opperman, Robbie McEwen and Simon Gerrans on an illustrious honour roll.
 
After attacking alongside Chris Harper (SA/Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo) from a splintered peloton with less than four laps of the iconic Mount Buninyong circuit remaining, Edmondson survived a desperate chase to cross the line one second ahead of Jay McCarthy (QLD/Bora-Hansgrohe).

Harper was too fast for the surging Caleb Ewan (NSW/Mitchleton-Scott) and Nathan Haas (ACT/Katusha–Alpecin), with his bronze medal just rewards for an impressive effort in the closing stages of a thrilling 185.6-kilometre road race.
 
“I am absolutely speechless,” said an emotional Edmondson following his victory. “This means a hell of a lot to me. I would like to thank the team for all their help, my family, my coach – this is just a fairy tale.

“I came here just trying to do what I could for the guys, and to come away with the green and gold is a dream come true. Every cyclist grows up wanting to wear the green and gold, and this is not going to sink in for a while.”
 
Edmondson, whose track career includes a Commonwealth Games gold medal, an Olympic silver medal and three world titles, admitted there could be some hard feelings from his breakaway partner.

With Edmondson’s more high-profile team-mates Ewan and Cameron Meyer (WA) in the chase group, the South Australian was torn between sitting up for his colleagues and helping the break stay away.
 
“Chris Harper is one of my best mates, he lives less than 500 metres down the road from where I live in Aldgate,” said Edmondson. “Every day we ride together and every day he is the one pushing me along and vice versa.

“It was made a lot harder because we are such good friends off the bike. It is one of those hard ones because you want to do your best for your mate, but you also have to look after your team-mates.
 
“There were a lot of words going back and forth – I am not sure what will happen with the friendship,” he laughed. “I am so thrilled for what he has been able to do. He has only been riding for a short amount of time, but he is going to go a long way.

“It’s so hard to get over for the win, but it’s even harder when you have got your best mate there riding next to you. It is my day today, and I know there are going to be plenty more opportunities for Chris Harper.”

Earlier in the race, an eight rider breakaway of Dylan Newbery (QLD/Mobius BridgeLane), Tristan Ward (NSW/Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo), Troy Herfoss (NSW), Robert Power (WA/Mitchelton-Scott), William Clarke (TAS/EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale), Thomas Kaesler (SA/Drapac EF p/b Cannondale Holistic Development Team), Sean Lake (VIC/Bennelong SwissWellness) and Peter Milostic (NSW) gained nearly six minutes on the peloton.
 
But a dominant effort from BMC Racing Team, led by former national champions Simon Gerrans and Miles Scotson, narrowed the gap. 2017 Australian Masters National Champion Herfoss attacked solo, with the dual-sport athlete riding solo for almost 25 kilometres as a new bunch of chasers formed.

Edmondson and Harper then went up the road, overhauling Herfoss and staying out of reach of the star-studded chase group until the final straight. Edmondson put his track skills to work, managing to remain just ahead of McCarthy before flinging his arms into the air.
 
“I was a little bit short there on the line. But I am definitely happy with how the shape is going – all the boys rode really well out there,” said McCarthy.

“It is a great change to the course with a new little part through the university, and it was an exciting race.”
 
A third for Harper capped a strong week of racing from Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo, the reigning National Road Series champions.
 
“It’s all good now. There were a few colourful words, but I am just really happy for Alex. He is one of my best mates and we train almost every day together when he is back in Australia,” joked Harper of his ongoing friendship with Edmondson.

“I know I will be sitting up watching him racing those big one-day races in Europe, and it will be all the easier to see him now he’ll have the green and gold bands around him.”

It was a dream come true for Ballarat local Shannon Malseed (VIC / Team TIBCO-SVB), who sensationally won the elite women's road race at the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships on Sunday, chasing down solo breakaway Katrin Garfoot (QLD) in the finishing straight before triumphing over Lauren Kitchen (NSW / FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope) and Grace Brown (VIC / Holden Team Gusto) in a sprint to the line.
 
Malseed, who has been on the rise in the Australian cycling scene for a few years with the 2016 Oceania road race and 2017 National Road Series titles to her name, was overcome with emotion as she embraced family and friends.

"I'm so lost for words - I can't believe that this happened," Malseed said immediately post-race. "It is a dream - an absolute dream. This is my first year racing for a professional team, I'm so honoured I get to wear the Australian colours all year."
 
The early break of Kitchen, Jessica Allen (WA / Mitchelton–Scott) and Kate Perry (VIC / Specialized Women's Racing) attacked early, establishing a breakaway that at one stage led by over four minutes.
 
The trio were caught just before the final lap of the nine lap, 100 kilometre race, following a spirited chase driven by Garfoot, Brown, Brodie Chapman (ACT / CBR Women's Cycling), Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott) and Shara Gillow (QLD / FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope).
 
Garfoot then attacked and looked to have established a winning lead in the final kilometre, before being overhauled by Malseed.
 
“In the last kilometre I was really calm,” explained Malseed. “I just knew that if I backed myself, I could do it. I know I can sprint well if I get aero enough and channel my inner Caleb Ewan in a headwind finish,” quipped the 23 year old. “Luck definitely swung my way today.”
 
For second placed Kitchen, it was her second silver medal in the Australian road race championships having made the podium in 2014.
 
“It was definitely a long day out in the break but having Shara [Gillow] as a teammate this year, I really wanted for us to have an advantage in the final and have both of us there. For it to work out perfectly for us to have two riders in the final selection, meant that we went from being one of the smallest teams to having the numbers which was a little bit unexpected,” said Kitchen.
 
“I knew I’d have a chance to be in the mix of the medals. Of course I’m disappointed not to have the jersey but it’s a long season. It’s a really good start, both Shara and I got a medal here this week [so] this is a big result for us. We’ll hopefully build on this for the season.”
 
Third placed, Grace Brown animated the final kilometres, attacking the select group with six kilometres remaining and gaining a small advantage before being reeled in.
 
“I thought my last chance was when I tried to break away at the back of the course, I’m usually not very good in a sprint finish but I think that helped me in the end. I was quite calm and everyone else blew up and I came through,” said Brown who spent 2017 racing in Europe with the Australian Women’s Development Team.
 
After doing the lion's share of the work for Mitchelton-Scott to bring the early breakaway back, Alex Manly (SA / Mitchelton-Scott) held on to finish in the top 20 to claim the under 23 road race national title.
 
Josie Talbot (NSW / Specialized Women's Racing) won the U23 silver medal while Kristina Clonan (QLD / QAS) rounded out the podium.
 
“It’s pretty special, it was nice to come away with the win. We had a good ride with all the girls but just weren’t able to pull it off,” said Manly of the race for line honours.”
 
“I wasn’t sure with the role I had to play if I would actually hang in there but it turned out all good in the end.”

Specialized Women's Racing Kate Perry came away with the Altus Traffic Management Sprint jersey and the Federation University Queen of the Mountain jersey . 

Elite Women's Road Race

1. Shannon Malseed (VIC / Team TIBCO-SVB)
2. Lauren Kitchen (NSW / FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope).
3. Grace Brown (VIC / Holden Team Gusto)
   

Altus Sprint jersey - Kate Perry (VIC / Specialized Women's Racing
FedUni QOM Jersey - Kate Perry (VIC / Specialized Women's Racing

U23 Women's Road Race

1. Alexandra Manly (SA / Mitchelton-Scott)
2. Josie Talbot(NSW/ Specialised Women's Racing)
3. Kristina Clonan (QLD/Queensland Academy of Sport)

 A stunning solo attack from Cyrus Monk (VIC – Drapac EF Holistic Development Team) saw the university student join an illustrious honour roll alongside the likes of Simon Gerrans, Rohan Dennis and Caleb Ewan, winning the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships under 23 road race in scorching Buninyong conditions.
 
With the race distance shortened to 92.8 kilometres as a result of extreme heat and high fire risk, the peloton was aggressive from the starter’s gun. By the end of lap one, a breakaway of mountain biker Reece Tucknott (WA – Trek Racing Australia), Ashley Mackay (WA – Australian Cycling Academy) and Macgregor Carter (VIC – VCP Loudéac) had established a 44 second lead.
 
As cross winds and intense heat thinned the sluggish peloton, a chase group led by Dylan Sunderland (NSW – Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo) and 2017 champion Samuel Jenner (NSW – Mitchelton-BikeExchange) formed. But as the breakaway’s lead extended, Monk took matters into his own hands – bridging first from the peloton to the chasers and then onto the lead group. By lap seven Monk and Tucknott were away together, maintaining their lead before the Melburnian attack again. Monk soloed to the finish with arms aloft, followed in 26 seconds later by James Whelan (VIC – InForm Tineli) and Michael Potter (NSW – Australian Cycling Academy).
 
“I have been trying to picture this every training ride for the past four months, so it is pretty hard to believe it has actually happened,” exclaimed Monk following his triumph. “I am sure it will sink in throughout the rest of the day.”
 
Monk’s win had echoes of the victories of Jenner and Miles Scotson in past years, with the rider taking advantage of an unwillingness to chase following the long climb each lap to sneak away.
 
“It did not feel good out there when I first went – I was thinking it was quite stupid,” said Monk. “I had just ridden up to Liam Magennis (QLD – Drapac EF Holistic Development Team) who was in that final selection with me and said, ‘I reckon we’re both looking okay for a sprint out of this group.’ Then I looked around 10 metres later and I had a little gap – that ended up being it. It was not planned whatsoever, but sometimes they are the ones that come off.”
 
Monk admitted that he was at first unhappy with the change of race distance necessitated by the weather conditions, but another revision – an added section of the course through the local university – suited his abilities.
 
“I think the course change definitely played in my favour” said Monk, who is studying a Bachelor of Science (Physiology) in Melbourne. “Having that extra section through FedUni is not that hard on the legs in terms of going uphill, but the technical punching out of corners is similar to what was I doing in Belgium last year.”
 
After the chase group caught Tucknott during the final descent to Buninyong, Whelan beat Potter and fourth-placed Sunderland in a bunch sprint to claim the silver medal. “It was really close in the end,” the former middle-distance runner said. “I was cramping in the end and I think I only held on by a few metres. I was pretty happy.”
 
Bronze medallist Potter acknowledged the worthy effort of the victor, and paid credit to his newly established team. “Hats off to Cyrus – he rode amazingly today, a well-deserved winner,” he said. “The whole Australian Cycling Academy has ridden incredibly all week. I was not the leader, but we had a few cards to play and I think we used those well and it paid off.”
 
The 2018 FedUni Road National Championships conclude on Sunday with an action-packed day of racing. The Elite and U23 Women’s road race commences at 8.50am AEDT, followed by the Elite Men at 12.15pm. The racing will be broadcast live from 10.00am on SBS Viceland and Fox Sports, and streamed via each broadcaster’s online platforms.

Tyler Lindorff and Sarah Gigante were crowned U19 road national champions today in testing, windy conditions on Saturday 6 Jan. Starting as the sun rose over Mt Buninyong due a revised start time, the reduced distance race got off to a blistering start.
 
Victoria’s Sarah Gigante (VIC/Holden Team Gusto) has been dubbed the Queen of Buninyong, taking a clean sweep of all three under 19 national titles; the criterium, time trial and road race crowns at the 2018 Federation University Road National Championships.
 
After winning the criterium solo and taking out the time trial by 13 seconds, Gigante once again showed her power as she rode to a solo victory in the 58 kilometre road race around Mt Buninyong.
 
“I didn’t even think I’d win one, you always hope to win one, but definitely not this,” said an elated Gigante. “I didn’t want to leave it to a sprint as I thought it was too risky as I didn’t know how my sprint legs where. But I tried to get away and then just time trialled home.”
 
Silver medallist Jemma Eastwood (VIC / Blackburn CC) animated the race, breaking away from the peloton on lap one before she was joined by Gigante shortly after. The duo worked together, gaining a two minute advantage while the peloton fought it out for bronze behind them.
  
For Eastwood, it was a job well done.
 
“It was really tough out there, it was pretty easy up the hill the first time so I thought I would just go off the front because a hard race is better for me,” she said. “Working with Sarah she made it tough the whole way and when she broke away I was pretty cooked, but happy to hold on and keep going for second.”
 
Sophie Edwards (SA) finished ahead of the remaining bunch to collect the bronze medal, adding to her criterium silver medal and time trial bronze.
 
“I’m exhausted, it was a tough race out there today but I am really happy, given I don’t rate myself up climbs normally, but I managed to keep it up with the girls today,” said Edwards.
 
U19 Men’s
In the under 19 men’s race, it was time trial silver medallist Tyler Lindorff (WA/WAIS) took line honours in the road race, as well as both the Federation University King of the Mountain and the Altus sprint jersey after being a part of a strong three-man break.
 
“It’s a dream come true today. I’ve been training for this one solely for the last couple of months,” said Lindorff.
 
“I just thought I would give it a go, I knew with the course going downhill and through Federation University it was quite quick so it was just a matter of trying to get ahead. I felt like I was the strongest on the last lap so I thought I would give it a nudge and I got away.”
  
Covering six laps of the 11.6 kilometre course, the peloton set a furious tempo for the first half of the race before the winning break of Lindorff, Ben Metcalfe (NSW/MobiusBridgeLane) and Carter Turnbull (VIC/InformMake) formed with 30 kilometres left to race.
 
Lindorff broke away on the final lap with Metcalfe winning silver and Turnbull collecting bronze.
 
“It was really tough out there, the wind really picked up on the last two laps. We kept it at 1.20 and we had to keep pushing it the whole way. I’m really happy with that ride.”

​Eighteen of the world’s best Para-cycling athletes were crowned national champions on Friday as the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships continued in Ballarat.
 
On a warm day with little wind, Paralympic and world champions raced around the rural town of Cardigan with Rio gold medallists Carol Cooke AM (VIC) David Nicholas (QLD) doing the time trial and road race double.
 
“I’m happy with it, it was a pretty good course,” said Cooke. “I went off with the guys and the first half of the lap they were just going so fast and I just thought ‘this is crazy’ so I backed it off a bit. After that I just time trialled it into the finish. I’m happy it was a good ride.”
 
Cooke, who said the championships have been fabulous, took out the WT2 24 kilometre race in 48 minutes, a little over 9minutes ahead of silver medallist Gabrielle Vassallo (NSW).
 
Paralympic gold medallist Nicholas showed his class in the MC3 event, breaking away on lap two of five to win the 60km road race by nearly three minutes to Justin Godfrey (VIC). Mitchell Bails (SA) claimed the bronze medal.
 
“It feels awesome. It’s always good to have it in the bag,” he said.
 
Nicholas was also complimentary of the program change which has seen the Para-cycling nationals raced in Ballarat with the Road National Championships. “It’s very good, I think it’s very good for Para-cycling so that other people can see us racing. I’ve enjoyed it.”
 
In the men’s cycle (MC2), dual world championship silver medallist Darren Hicks (SA) took out his maiden road race national title.
 
“I’m over the moon. It’s something I’ve been wanting for a few years. It’s been on the top of my list,” said Hicks who took out the road and time trial silver medals at the world championships in Pietermaritzburg last year.
 
“After joining the national team last year, I felt like I had done a lot of the ground work but I didn’t really utilise it, so I’m really happy to come out with a win this year.”
 
Hicks finished almost 5 minutes ahead of second placed Gordon Allen and local Ballarat rider Ryan Spiteri.
 
South Australia’s Meg Lemon (SA) made amends for a missed opportunity in the time trial to take out the WC4 event, edging out Hannah MacDougall in a sprint to the line.
 
“It feels pretty good after yesterday, I was a bit disappointed losing [the time trial] by 1 second after a couple of mechanicals [but] coming back today feels pretty good,” said the 2017 world championship dual bronze medallist.  
 
In the men’s H5 event, Paralympic time trial silver medallist Stuart Tripp (VIC) added the road race green and gold jersey to his time trial national title.
In other events, Simone Kennedy (NSW) sprinted to gold in the WC3 event, just pipping Page Greco (VIC) to the line.
 
Tasmanian Patrick Best out-sprinted World Championship medallist Kyle Bridgwood (QLD) for the MC4 national title, while Alistair Donohue claimed the green and gold jersey in the MC5 race.
 
RESULTS:
 
WH1: Emilie MILLER (Bathurst)         
MH3: Alexander WELSH (Leongatha)
Men Handcycle MH4: Grant ALLEN (Port Adelaide)             
Men Handcycle MH5: Stuart TRIPP (St Kilda)
Men Tricycle MT1: Garry ROBINSON (Camden)       
Women Tricycle WT2: Carol COOKE (St Kilda/VIS)   
Men Tricycle MT2: Stuart JONES (Newcastle)          
Women Cycle WC1: Kaitlyn Dawn SCHURMANN (Geelong)
Men Cycle MC1: Darcy THOMPSON (Port Adelaide)
Men Cycle MC2: Darren HICKS (Kilkenny)                 
Women Cycle WC3: Simone KENNEDY (Parramatta)           
Men Cycle MC3: David NICHOLAS (Mackay              
Women Cycle WC4: Meg LEMON (Port Adelaide)                
Men Cycle MC4: Patrick BEST (Mersey Valley Devonport)                
Women Cycle WC5: Fatema TAJBHAI (St Kilda)                    
Men Cycle MC5: Alistair DONOHOE (Blackburn)      
Women WB: Lindy HOU: (Vikings ACT)                     
Men MB: Kieran MURPHY: (Norwood)
 
For the full list of results click here