Alessia has Austral victory in her sights

AN Austral Wheelrace victory is one classic that has eluded Bendigo’s Alessia McCaig across her outstanding cycling career.

McCaig will be among the contenders in this Saturday’s showdown at Joe Ciavola Velodrome in Darebin.

The Austral marks her return to Melbourne just weeks after being crowned Cycling Australia’s female track cyclist of the year.

McCaig’s run across 2025 included bronze in the teams sprint at the UCI world track championships in Santiago.

She earned her place in the 60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year race by being joint winner in March with WNBL champions Bendigo Spirit following gold in the elite women’s sprint and keirin at the national track titles in Brisbane.

McCaig said the Austral Wheelrace carries a lot of prestige.

“It’s a great honour to be racing in the Austral,” she said.

“It will not be easy, but it’s a challenge I am really looking forward to.”

Whether it be off or near scratch, McCaig knows it’s a chase from the gun on the boards.

Chasing rivals is something she has done incredibly well since her racing days began at Bendigo’s Tom Flood Sports Centre.

Now based in Brisbane, McCaig will return to Bendigo for Christmas and may race at the club’s carnival on 28 December.

“It’s always great to get back to Bendigo. I have had so much support from the club and the city,” she said.

There’s also track nationals at Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome in March.

McCaig said bronze in the team sprint at the worlds capped hundreds of hours training on the track and in the gym.

Her major focus includes racing at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and then rolling into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

This Saturday marks the 128th Austral Wheelrace, which is sponsored by Quest Ivanhoe.

Bendigo has a rich history in the classic.

The Austral honour board features Bendigo cyclists Merv Andrea, Bill Stevens, Phil Sawyer, Terry Schintler and Tony Hughes.

Castlemaine’s Ash Harding and Zak Dempster have also won the great race.

This Saturday night’s Austral finals will be followed by the Australian elite women’s madison (30km) and elite men’s madison (50km).