Cyclo-cross nationals set for exciting return to Ballarat

BALLARAT is gearing up for a double dose of Australia’s elite cyclo-cross action next month.

Victoria Park will play host to not only the final round of the 2025 AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Series, but more prestigiously, the AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Championships.

The events will run over consecutive days, with the national championships on Saturday 16 August, followed by round seven of the national series on Sunday 17 August.

The CX National Series is Australia’s premier cyclo-cross competition, designed to elevate the profile of the sport, while providing riders with high-quality racing opportunities.

It aims to foster participation, celebrate individual achievement, and support the continued growth and visibility of cyclo-cross across the country.

The series plays a key role in promoting cyclo-cross to a wider audience.

Ballarat was the venue for last year’s nationals, which saw Queenslander Max Hobson and Tasmanian Isabella Flint claim title honours.

Hobson completed nine laps of the Victoria Park circuit in a time of 59 minutes, 29 seconds, to claim a narrow 10-second victory over Bowral’s Nick Smith, with part time cyclo-crosser Tasman Nankervis, from the Bendigo and District Cycling Club, less than two minutes away in third.

Flint won the seven-lap women’s national crown in a time of 54 minutes and one second, staving off Ballarat and Sebastopol Cycling Club rider Miranda Griffiths, who finished one minute and 38 seconds behind in second place.

Two-time national champion Bec Locke was third.

After four rounds, Cameron Ivory leads this year’s men’s national series on 283 points, ahead of Chris Aitken (233) and Campbell McConnell (230).

Ballarat holds plenty of fond memories for Aitken, who won the national title at Victoria Park in 2023.

He finished seventh last year.

Following a win and three seconds in the four rounds to date, Ballarat’s Griffiths leads the women’s elite series on 275 points, ahead of reigning national champion Flint (241).

The top two sit well clear of the rest of the field, headed by Madelaine Wasserbaech on 113 points.

Griffiths will be aiming to extend her lead over the next two rounds in Adelaide on 26 and 27 July, before a tilt at national title honours at home in Ballarat.

The national championships include multiple men’s and women’s categories, including elite, under-19, experts, masters one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight-plus, junior (18 years and under), under 17, under 15 and under-13.

For more information, including rider entry and course details and the race schedule, visit cxnationals.com.au.