The summer of cycling is officially underway Down Under, as Australia’s best competed to win the green and gold bands at the National Road Championships in Ballarat this past week.
On the roads of an extinct volcano, Mount Buninyong – 20 minutes south of the Victorian township of Ballarat – Australia’s best cyclists were red hot with 2022 Australian Road Race Champion, Lucas Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers) retaining his title, as Trek-Segafredo’s Brodie Chapman blasted her rivals to claim her very first green and gold jersey.
In the Elite Men’s race, Plapp topped a star-studded list to claim the green and gold jersey for the second year in a row.
The 185.6km race was set in tough conditions as the elite men rode 16 laps around Buninyong in temperatures of around 30°C. The attacks began early, and by the beginning of the third lap, there was a breakaway of about 20 riders with a gap of almost 30 seconds.
When the race reached its final lap, it was nothing short of action-packed. With just eight kilometres to go, a lead group of Simon Clarke (Israel Premier-Tech), Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla), Drew Morey (Kinan Racing Team) and Plapp broke away. After two attacks and just 1.6km to go, Plapp was able to make his third and final attempt stick, riding away from the group with Matthews sitting up in defeat and Clarke and Morey not chasing him down.
Clarke went on to win in a sprint to the finish line, claiming silver over Matthews.
View this post on Instagram
Earlier in the day, the Under 23 and Elite Women’s Road Race saw competitors race a 104.4km course, composed of an 11.6km circuit that featured the infamous Mount Buninyong climb, tight descents and technical sections.
In a sensational last-lap attack, Brodie Chapman (Trek-Segafredo) flew into the finishing straight solo to claim the elite women’s road race title. Holding off the chase and even stretching her gap, Chapman finished 31 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
A chase group of eight formed behind, and Birmingham Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Grace Brown (FDJ-SUEZ) claimed the silver in a nail-biting sprint to the finish line, whilst Chapman’s new teammate Amanda Spratt (Trek-Segafredo) closely followed to round out the podium.
Jayco AlUla were perceived by many as medal favorites, and their all-star line-up gave them strength in numbers, however, Ruby Roseman-Gannon narrowly missed out on the podium crossing the line fourth.
It was a dream start for Trek-Segafredo as both Chapman and Spratt donned the jersey for the first time alongside teammate Lauretta Hanson.
View this post on Instagram
In the Men’s U23 category, Israel Cycling Academy’s rising star Alastair MacKellar was crowned national champion. Ella Simpson (Knights of Suburbia) claimed the Women’s U23 Road Race title, and also had an impressive top 10 finish against the elite women.
In the Elite Women’s Time Trial category, Grace Brown continued her stellar results as she took the title of national champion for a second year in a row. Georgie Howe (Jayco AlUla) finished 37.89 seconds behind Brown to claim silver, whilst road race winner Brodie Chapman finished third.
View this post on Instagram
Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) had a great ride, winning the Elite Men’s Time Trial title against stiff competition with a time of 43:38.84. The top four placing riders all finished within 27 seconds of each other, and Luke Durbridge (Jayco AlUla) had to settle for second finishing only 2.72 seconds behind Vine. Kelland O’Brien (Jayco AlUla) rounded out the podium, finishing in third place.
View this post on Instagram
The Criterium on Friday night highlighted the power and talent of the Jayco AlUla riders as they claimed a one-two finish in both the Elite Men’s and Women’s categories. Amber Pate and Kelland O’Brien topped out the timesheet, whilst Alex Manly and Blake Quick were able to enjoy team celebrations as silver medalists. Matilda Field (Roxsolt Liv SRAM) and Taj Jones (Israel-Premier Tech) rounded out the podiums in their respective categories.
There is plenty of more to look forward to as January’s packed racing schedule will conclude at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The UCI WorldTour one-day classic is set to put on a show with its scenic roads, technical corners and pinchy climbs.
Written by Maddie Barrass
Imagery courtesy of AusCycling: Zac Williams, Con Chronis and Josh Chadwick.