Emma Ochoa, Julian Baudry win BikeChain J19 National Road Series

Emma Ochoa (Carnegie Caulfield CC) and Julian Baudry (Alpine CC) have won AusCycling’s domestic road racing competition for under-19s, the BikeChain J19 National Road Series.

The 2024 series, which bridges the gap between junior and elite road cycling in Australia, was contested over three events in Canberra, south-east Queensland, and Gippsland.

Baudry and Ochoa, who both hail from Victoria, each enjoyed a perfect start to the series when they won the men’s and women’s Canberra Junior Tour respectively.

The following round, the Balmoral Junior and Women’s Tour in Queensland, was won by Alex Correll and Lauren Bates, who put themselves in a strong position to challenge for the overall win.

While Ochoa retained the leader’s jersey, Baudry left Queensland tied on points with Correll.

In last week’s series decider at the Tour of Gippsland, Ochoa – who rides for the 99 Bikes Women’s Academy team – won two stages to secure her conquest of the women’s competition.

Meanwhile, Baudry’s victory in the stage two individual time trial was enough to claim the outright win in the men’s series.

Notably, both NJRS winners were outstanding against the clock: Baudry and Ochoa each won two out of the three ITTs during the series.

Australia’s young riders can now look ahead to January for their next competition at the national level when they contest the AusCycling Road National Championships in Perth.

The AusCycling National Road Series for elite riders was won by Graeme Frislie (men) and Keely Bennett (women).

 BikeChain Junior 19 National Road Series – Final Standings

Men

1. Julian Baudry (Alpine CC) – 475 pts
2. Jonas Shelverton (Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils) – 410
3. Alex Correl (Hamilton Wheelers CC) – 400
4. Eddie Willis (Tamworth CC) – 315
5. Tully Hickman (Port Adelaide CC) – 315
6. Toby Jones (Balmoral CC) – 250
7. Levi Dougherty (Balmoral CC) – 235
8. Jameson Key (Norwood CC) – 200
9. Louis Freschi (Adelaide MTB Club) – 150
10. Edward Marcks (Canberra CC) – 125

 Women

1. Emma Ochoa (Carnegie Caulfield CC) – 675 pts
2. Leani Van Der Berg (South Coast CC) – 570
3. Lauren Bates (Canberra CC) – 425
4. Charlotte Lovett (Bathurst CC) – 370
5. Georgia Gardiner (Canberra CC) – 275
6. Miriam Sinnerbrink (Southern Cross CC) – 250
7. Ava Wilson (Norwood CC) – 175
8. Hannah Gianatti (Penrith CC) – 160
9. Ava Schmidtke (South Coast CC) – 110
10. Maddie Wasserbaech (Port Adelaide CC) – 100

Photos: Tour of Gippsland / Australia Cycling Photography