FINAL KM: Bat Champs Aussie style

The Northern hemisphere may still be wrapped up in cosy knitwear, but it’s the height of summer down under and that means the cycling season is in full swing. This weekend saw the culmination of the Australian National Road Championships and it’s two Mitchelton-Scott riders – Amanda Spratt and Cameron Meyer – who will wear the green and gold in the 2020 peloton. There was sharp smart racing, selfless teamwork and tears a-plenty on the podium.

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In the Elite women’s race, Mitchelton Scott put two riders in the early move and an incredible ride from teammate Grace Brown ensured Amanda Spratt was in prime position to claim her third National road race title.  Justine Barrow (Roxsolt Attaquer) took silver with Brown in third.

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Full report for the Women’s Race Cycling News.

 

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Cameron Meyer took a hugely emotional win in the Elite men’s race. The records show Meyer won solo from teammate Lucas Hamilton with Marcus Culey (Team Sapura Cycling) rounding out the podium. But it’s the story behind this rider’s 12-year-long quest for the title that’s the real story. He has been so close, on so many occasions (4th, 31st, 6th, DNF, 12th, 4th, 29th, 2nd, 13th, 15th, 3rd)but this time he crossed the line first and it was one of those days when you realise how much this sport means.

I fell in love with this event so long ago, and have been close so many times. Someone asked me the other day, ‘You’ve got nine world [track] championships; why do you want this one so much? My brother won it [Travis Meyer in 2010], and Luke Durbridge – one of my best mates – has won it [in 2013], and I just wanted it so badly,and now I can proudly wear the green-and-gold jersey in Europe.

The full race report from Cycling News is here.

Header image: © Con Chronis/Getty Images

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