RoadNats take a victory lap

THE 2024 Federation University Road National Championships are underway, with the country’s elite cyclists racing in the CBD, and around the Mount Buninyong area until Sunday 7 January.

Following time trials at FedUni’s Mount Helen campus on Wednesday and Thursday, riders are clipping cleats into pedals for this evening’s criteriums which will lap Sturt Street.

The weekend of road races is all about the village and mount of Buninyong, with the under-19s and under-23 men putting on a show on Saturday, before the para cyclists, under-23 women, and the elite men and women see who’s king of the mountain in the major national titles on Sunday.

With the sun to set on Ballarat’s 18 years of hosting duties on Sunday evening, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said it’s time to reflect.

“We’re incredibly proud to have hosted the Road Nationals for almost two consecutive decades, playing a major role in helping grow the event into what it is today,” he said.

“We value our collaborative relationship with AusCycling and look back fondly over the event’s history, acknowledging the positive impact it has had on establishing Ballarat as Australia’s premium cycling destination.

“We look forward to seeing crowds across Sturt Street for the Criterium on Friday and back on the hill as the live site returns at the King of the Mountain in Buninyong on Saturday and Sunday.

“We are hopeful that Ballarat will have the opportunity to consider hosting the event into the future.”

Visit roadnationals.org.au for event times, the full program, and road closures.