Rounds 5 and 6 of the AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Series have been run and won in the town of Walloon, Ipswich, Queensland.
Ipswich Offroad Cyclists hosted the races on Saturday and Sunday on a dry 2.55km course that featured a mix of grass, gravel and a tricky sandpit that put more than one rider into difficulty.
Riders who made the trip north enjoyed the escape from the southern winter, taking to the circuit across junior, elite, masters and participation ('Little Crossers') categories.
Even the youngest of riders enjoyed the Ipswich course.
In the elite men's races, the evergreen Garry Millburn (Alpine CC) clinched both rounds ahead of his clubmate Campbell McConnell (Alpine CC), with series leader Hayden Vimpani (Blackburn CC) holding his own in third.
Millburn, at 39 years of age, showed a clean pair of wheels to his teenage challengers on both days. It's an ominous demonstration ahead of the National Championships in Ballarat next month.
Millburn took back-to-back victories on the weekend.
In the elite women's races, Nina Wright, who has been dominating the Queensland state series, brought her form to the national stage to win both rounds.
Like Millburn, the Masters 5 rider proved the value of experience, edging out Fiona Morris (Alpine CC) in each round, with young West Australian Alicia Reynolds (Midland CC) completing the podium.
One round remains in the National Series, held back-to-back with the AusCycling National Championships in Ballarat on August 14−16.
Nina Wright showed great form in her home round of the National Series.
Results − Round 5
Elite Men
🥇 Garry Millburn (Alpine CC)
🥈 Campbell McConnell (Alpine CC)
🥉 Hayden Vimpani (Blackburn CC)
Elite Women
🥇 Nina Wright (Balmoral CC)
🥈 Fiona Morris (Alpine CC)
🥉 Alicia Reynolds (Midland CC)
Click for full round 5 results
Results − Round 6
Elite Men
🥇 Garry Millburn (Alpine CC)
🥈 Campbell McConnell (Alpine CC)
🥉 Hayden Vimpani (Blackburn Cycling Club)
Elite Women
🥇 Nina Wright (Balmoral CC)
🥈 Fiona Morris (Alpine CC)
🥉 Alicia Reynolds (Midland CC)
Click for full round 6 results
Photos: KC Media Sports