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

Rohan Dennis (SA/BMC Racing Team) underlined his time trial superiority at the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships, winning his third consecutive Australian title ahead of Luke Durbridge (WA/Mitchelton–Scott) and BMC teammate Richie Porte (TAS).

The final rider to start the undulating 40.9 kilometre out-and-back course, Dennis rode at a blistering tempo to finish over one minute ahead of the rest of the field.

“Coming here and winning it, and wearing the jersey for the rest of the year is an honour,” explained Dennis. “It is hard to win, with guys like Richie, Durbo and Miles. It is a pride thing.

“Obviously we have Richie, Simon and the defending champion with Miles, so I am not sure what the plan is,” admitted Dennis. “I just want to come here and have a good hit-out before the Tour Down Under.”

For West Australian Durbridge, a former two-time champion, a silver medal represented an excellent start to the season after his 2017 campaign was marred by a race-ending crash at the Tour de France. Despite being passed by Dennis in the final kilometres, Durbridge recovered to finish 26 seconds ahead of third-placed Porte.

“When he came past I actually thought it was a bit of a blessing because I had to chase him all the way to the line,” said Durbridge. “He passed me like I was standing still.”

2015 champion Riche Porte will be was pleased to again find the podium in the opening racing of the year having making it two BMC Racing Team riders on the podium.

The Fed Uni Road National Championships continue on Saturday with the under 19 men’s and women’s road races and under 23 men’s.

Two-time world championship time trial bronze medallist Katrin Garfoot (QLD) won her third consecutive national title in the discipline, outpacing Lucy Kennedy (QLD /Mitchelton-Scott) and four-time champion Shara Gillow (QLD/FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) as they battled the clock in warm Buninyong conditions on Friday.

"I am pretty stoked as always," said a breathless Garfoot following her win.

"There was a lot of pressure, even though I know I should be in the ball-park because if someone was better than me, then they can be world champion. So it is rather unlikely, but there is always a possibility, always a doubt."

Garfoot overtook five riders on her return home on the out-and-back course, though technical difficulties with the timing meant the Queenslander was not certain of her victory until she crossed the finish line.

"There were not any times out there, so I just had to go hard to the finish," she explained.

Although Garfoot was unsure of her ambitions for Sunday’s road race, she had a number of other goals for a busy 2018. "I’ll make my plans tomorrow," she said of the infamous race around Mount Buninyong. "Tour Down Under, Cadel’s and maybe the Herald Sun Tour.

"Then the team pursuit for Queensland at the Track Nationals, just for something different. And hopefully the Commonwealth Games – fingers crossed!"

For Kennedy, a long-time star of the National Road Series, her first race in the colours of professional team Mitchelton-Scott produced a surprising result.

"It was quite unexpected really," she said. "I was hoping to challenge for the podium, so second was really beyond my expectations," Kennedy explained.

After placing third in last year’s road race, Kennedy was aiming to help Mitchelton-Scott put in another strong team performance, a repeat of the 2017 effort that saw then-team member Garfoot finish atop the podium.

"We have a really strong team and we certainly want to defend the jersey," added Kennedy. "We have a number of people who could do that, so I will have to wait and see what the game plan is."

Four-time national time trial Gillow was unable to match her past success, overtaken by Garfoot on the final section.

Asked whether she was happy with the performance, a dejected Gillow replied honestly. "Not really. But I gave it what I had on the day. It was really fast."

Alex Manly (SA/Mitchelton-Scott) put in an impressive performance to defend her under 23 crown, beating former under 17 national champion Maeve Plouffe (SA/South Australian Institute of Sport) in her first year under 23 and Kerry Jonker (VIC/St Kilda Cycling Club)

Manly was swamped by family following her win with the 21-year-old admitted to having endured pre-race nerves, but they did not bother the Track World Championship medallist.

"I am really happy with how today’s ride went. I was a bit nervous coming in but the girls talked me out of all my crazy thoughts and I had a good ride in the end," said Manly.

Manly also commented on the inspiration she gained from the combined under 23 and elite women’s format, which saw her go head to head with some world class time trialers.

"It is really cool, especially with people like Kat [Garfoot] out there. You don’t get the chance to race against some of the best in the world all that often," she added.

Second place for track specialist Plouffe was an impressive result, as she took a brief break from her training commitments. "That was an incredibly hard course," said Plouffe. "So to get second on my first time doing that course is a pretty good feeling."

For bronze medallist Jonker, the podium finish was a surprise after a tough past month. "I am incredibly happy," she exclaimed. "I cannot say I came into this week expecting anything. I was sick most of December, missed out on the SuperCrit and can’t say I have trained much on my time trial bike. I said I would come here and just ride as hard, fast and consistent as I could."

The Fed Uni Road National Championships continue on Saturday with the under 19 men’s and women’s road races and under 23 men’s.

17-year-old Sarah Gigante (VIC/Holden Team Gusto) followed up her criterium title with victory in the under 19 women's time trial on day three of the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships in Buninyong.

The now dual national champion finished 13 seconds clear of Anya Louw (TAS/Tasmanian Institute of Sport) as Sophie Edwards (SA/South Australian Institute of Sport) rounded out the podium a further 11 seconds back.

"I am pretty happy. I don't think I have ever won a time trial in my life. It is good to see the Zwift training paying off," said an emotional Gigante following the podium.

Gigante preserved her energy early in the race, before storming home from the turn-around point. "I tried not to go out too hard, because with the adrenaline it is easy to do that," she said.

"I paced myself and kept the tempo, and then on the way home tried to catch as many girls as I could."

Gigante was spurred on with a message of support from her brother. "On the way home I saw 'Go Sarah' in chalk on the hills," she explained.

"It was a complete surprise, my brother had gone out and done it this morning. That really made me go faster."

Gigante was not phased by changes to Saturday's road race, which has been moved forward and shortened due to extreme weather. "On Saturdays I normally get up at 5am, so a 6:30am start sounds alright for me!”

Silver medallist Louw admitted she was disappointed with the result, but was hoping to go one better in the road race.

"It is bittersweet as every silver medal is, but that's alright. Tomorrow will be a race of attrition with that climb in there. A lot of different scenarios might play out, so we’ll just see what happens," she added.

Olympic silver medallist Callum Scotson (SA/Mitchelton-BikeExchange) won his third consecutive Under 23 national time trial crown, dislodging team-mate Samuel Jenner (NSW/ Mitchelton-BikeExchange) from the hot-seat in an exciting finale as the riders battled in hot Buninyong conditions.
 
After from his brother Miles’ 2015 victory, Scotson won the race in both 2016 and 2017 before again asserting his dominance once more on day two of the 2018 Fed Uni Road National Championships.
 
“It feels great,” exclaimed a jubilant Scotson. “It is my last year in the under 23s, I have won it the last two years, and there was a bit of pressure. I did not really think about it, but it is really a relief when you get across the line and you are in first place again.”
 
Technical difficulties with Scotson’s race radio meant he was unaware about the timing of his opponents, though he was untroubled by the lack of information.
 
“You have to put out your best ride regardless,” he said. “I know what time trials are like, you can’t count out anyone. Coming home I knew there would be other people pushing it and I would have to get everything out of myself.”
 
After three years dominating his age category, Scotson will step up to the elite classification in 2019. Asked about the prospect of racing against the likes of Richie Porte (TAS/BMC Racing Team) and Rohan Dennis (SA/BMC Racing Team), the 21-year-old was excited to test himself against the best.
 
“I like the fact that you are stepping up,” he said. “When you move from U19 to U23 you have a little bit of hunger to come out and prove yourself against those top guys. I am now ready and looking forward to the seniors.”
 
Minutes before Scotson crossed the line, Jenner had stormed into the hot seat with an impressive ride on the 29.5 kilometre course, unseating bronze medallist Jason Lea (VIC/Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo) who had spent most of the afternoon atop the standings.
 
“I am pretty happy actually,” admitted Armidale-born Jenner. “I came here for a top five result being modest but to come away with a second – I am stoked.”
 
Jenner launched a stunning solo attack to win the 2017 under 23 national road race title, and after his strong time trial performance was excited by the possibility of a repeat this year. “I feel stronger on the road bike than on the time trial bike and obviously I proved today that I am in a good position to win it again,” he said.

The 2018 FedUni Road National Championships continued Thursday with Para-cyclists testing themselves against the clock in Buninyong, with Para-cycling included for the first time.
 
Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Carol Cooke AM (VIC) took out the 12km women’s T2 in a time of 23mins 45.79secs).
 
“It’s really great to be part of this whole week of cycling here in Ballarat and to have Para Cycling looked at as just another discipline is a big step in the right direction and kudos to Cycling Australia for doing it,” said Cooke.
 
“It’s a very tough course. Most of our time trial courses are flat, so there’s a huge difference because there is nothing flat about this course,” quipped Cooke.
 
Rio Paralympic silver medallist Stuart Tripp (VIC) clocked his fifth national title, winning the men’s H5. Tripp completed the undulating 21-kilometre course in 38mins 31.12secs to take the gold.
 
“The course was fantastic, I loved it,” said Tripp. “The course was a lot more up and down than previous years but it was good to shake it up a little bit. I’m very happy.
 
“Normally we have our national championships in the middle of nowhere and there’s no atmosphere. To be finally included in the whole racing festival in Ballarat is so good.”
 
Winning herself a gold medal on her birthday, Simone Kennedy (NSW) took out the 12km women’s C3 classification in 21mins 44.61secs.
 
“It’s my birthday today so it’s nice to win on my birthday,” Kennedy said. “It was probably the toughest 12kms I’ve raced in my life.
 
“I left it all out there, I caught Paige about halfway on the way back but then she got me on the last hill. I knew I had already caught her, so I just finished as strongly as I could.”
 
In other cyclist categories 2015 world champion Kyle Bridgwood (QLD) claimed the men’s C4, 2012 London Paralymic champion David Nicholas (QLD) and Rio Paralympic medallist Alistair Donohoe (VIC) take out the men’s C5 category and Kyle Bridgewood win the C4. Darcy Thompson (SA) and Darren Hicks (SA) emerged on top in the C1 and C2 respectively.

Kaitlyn Dawn Schurmann (VIC-C1), Hannah MacDougall (SA-C4) and Fatema Tajbhai (VIC-C5), Grant Allen (SA-H4), Garry Robinson (NSW-T1), Alexander Welsh (VIC-H3) and Stuart Jones (T2) also pulled on the green and gold.

Tandem titles went to 2004 Paralympic sprint champion Lindy Hou (ACT) and Pilot Kerry Knowler (ACT). While the men’s went to Kieran Murphy (SA) and Lachlan Glaspool (SA)
 
2018 Australia Para-cycling Road National Champions:
MH3: Alexander Welsh (41:20.93)
MH4: Grant Allen (38:58.18)
MH5: Stuart Tripp (38:31.12)
MT1: Garry Robinson (29:35.76)
WT2: Carol Cooke (23:45.79)
MT2: Stuart Jones (22:38.39)
MC1: Darcy Thompson (40:14.95)
MC2: Darren Hicks (33:46.79)
MC3: David Nicholas (33:19.59)
MC4: Kyle Bridgewood (43:18.32)
WC1: Kaitlyn Dawn Schurmann (30:53.49)
WC3: Simone Kennedy (21:44.61)
WC4: Hannah MacDougall (38:40.59)
WC5: Fatema Tajbhai (38:11.30)
MC5: Alistair Donohoe (41:32.97)
WB: Lindy Hou (55:07.19)
MB: Kieran Murphy (40:13.14)

Persistence has paid off for Victorian year 12 student Luke Plapp (Nero Racing), who won the U19 national time trial crown in Buninyong on Thursday after spending the last six months preparing for the event. Plapp finished two seconds ahead of West Australia’s Tyler Lindorff, while Australian Cycling Academy’s Mitchell Wright (NSW) rounded out the podium.
 
“It is pretty amazing,” said Plapp following his win on the 21.6 kilometre course. “This has been a focus for quite a while now, to be able to put it all together on the day with so many amazing people, it’s awesome.”
 
After finishing 11th last year, Plapp was determined to take home the 2018 title and has ridden the course seven times in recent months. The youngster suggested this knowledge of the terrain and wind conditions contributed to his success.
 
“Without the practice runs before this I do not think it would have been possible,” said Plapp. “To be able to know the course like the back of my hand helped so much.”
 
The U19 men’s program continues on Saturday, with a six lap 70-kilometre road race of the iconic Mount Buninyong course. While Plapp was looking forward to the challenge, he had another plan first.
 
“I’ll celebrate tonight,” he laughed. “We will see for the road race – it’s going to be 41 degrees and they have already shortened our race. It is just going to be a battle of nutrition, whoever can eat and drink the best will win it, they’re just going to drop like flies in that heat.”
 
For Lindorff, second place was a worthy prize for the journey from Western Australia.
 
“Second is pretty cool,” he said. “I came off track last year and am doing all road this year, so it is nice to know I am on the road path this year. I did not know how my form was given it’s the beginning of the year, so it is good to know I am travelling well.”
 
The 2018 Fed Uni Road National Championships continue on Friday with under 19 women’s and elite and under 23 women’s and elite men’s time trials.

Caleb Ewan (NSW/Mitchelton-Scott) has confirmed his status as the king of Sturt Street Australia's best sprinter, beating Steele von Hoff (VIC/Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo) and Brenton Jones (VIC/Team Delko-Marseille Provence KTM) to secure his third consecutive national criterium title on day one of the 2018 Fed Uni Road National Championships in Ballarat.

"The feeling of winning never really gets old," exclaimed the 23-year-old following his victory. "It is good to get the year off to a good start again."

After spending most of the race at the rear of the peloton, Ewan perfectly timed his move forward perfectly. "I like to sit at the back and see how it is being raced and where the hard parts are on the circuit," he explained. "I sat back and observed for a little bit, and then I made my way to the front – it was game on from there."

Ewan, who has won two Grand Tour stages with Mitchelton-Scott during his career, paid credit to his team-mates for their impressive lead-out effort. Despite the World Tour team being outnumbered by 13-rider strong Bennelong SwissWellness, polished performances from Alexander Edmondson (SA) and Luke Durbridge (WA) left Ewan perfectly-placed for the sprint finish.

"This is the strongest team we have had since I turned pro and started racing the elite crits,” he said. “It was always going to be hard to beat some of the bigger teams here, so they did so well."

After finishing second last at the 2017 road race, Ewan was hopeful better weather conditions on Sunday could help him replicate his 2015 podium placing. “The course is usually too hard for a sprinter, but if there is a head wind up the climb then it is easier,” he said. “The first year I did it there was a head wind and I came second; the past two years it has been a tail wind and I have been dropped both times. It really depends on the conditions for how well I can go.”

Victorian von Hoff was pleased to add a criterium silver to his palmares, which already includes two national criterium crowns from 2014 and 2015. “Brenton, Caleb and I have all been on the podium together quite a few times now,” the 30-year-old laughed. "We always find each other on the final corner."

Following six years in Europe with Garmin-Sharp, NFTO and most recently ONE Pro Cycling, von Hoff has returned to Australia to rejoin his first-ever team, National Road Series powerhouse Bennelong SwissWellness (then Torq Performance Nutrition) for 2018. "It is fantastic for myself to be back with such a good squad with Bennelong SwissWellness, to race with the guys again and be under the guidance of Andrew Christie-Johnson. It is such an honour, I am just so happy to be back. it shows in the results – I am already back fighting."

For Jones, meanwhile, third place was a repeat of last year as he was unable to outsprint the flying Ewan. "He's a hard man to beat on this Ballarat Sturt Street course," Jones admitted.