Hundreds of Australia’s best and brightest amateur cyclists are arriving in Wagga Wagga for this week’s 2025 AusCycling Junior and Masters National Championships.
Here’s what you need to know about the event.
Who is racing?
This week, from Thursday to Sunday, the National Championships will be held for riders in the under-15, under-17 and masters categories (that is, 30 years and over).
The junior races are a proving ground for the nation’s next generation of cycling talent. Past winners at this level have included Giro campione Jai Hindley and recently retired sprint ace Caleb Ewan.
Some have been selected for a state team and will ride in their state or territory’s team colours. Others will race as individuals.
Green-and-gold national championship jerseys are up for grabs this week.
The masters start list features a who’s who of age-group racing: names like multiple world champion Alan Nelson, masters hour record holder Anna Davis, and the seemingly undefeatable Chris Ling will be hunting for more glory this week.
All will dream of pulling on the green-and-gold jersey of national champion in their age category.
What's on the race program?
Racing begins on Thursday with the individual time trials at Wantabadgery, a small village outside Wagga.
It’s an out-and-back course – 10km for under-15s, 15km for everyone else – that’s mostly flat, save for a steep kicker at the turnaround of the long course.
Friday and Saturday sees the road races take place on a 31km circuit, also starting and finishing in Wantabadgery. The main climb peaks about 5km from the finish, making for an intriguing finale before the downhill run home.
These two courses were used in the recent NSW Championships, where local riders had a chance to scout them out.
“I really enjoyed the course,” said Kate Lee, the NSW road champion from Manly Warringah Cycling Club. “To my surprise, the road was in pretty good condition and wasn’t too rough like many of those chip seal country roads.
“I think there were enough pinches, short climbs and technical sections (thanks crosswinds!) to add some spice and put the hammer down in the group to split it up a bit and keep it interesting.”
The big finale will be held on Sunday on the other side of town. The criteriums will be contested on the purpose-built off-road track at Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex; a flowing 1.5km circuit.
What else is happening?
The National Championships will finish on an exciting note at the Multisport Cycling Complex.
On Sunday afternoon, riders and their families will stay after the criteriums to celebrate and unwind with a live DJ (from 3:45pm) and outdoor cinema (from 6:15pm), which will screen ‘Ride Like a Girl’ – the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
Winning a national title would be a glorious moment for these masters cyclists.
Food trucks will be on site to keep the celebrations going into the evening.
Whether it’s watching the crit racing or riding the BMX track, mountain bike trails, learn-to-ride area and jump and pump tracks, there will be plenty to do for local and visiting families alike.
How can I stay up to date?
Start lists and results will be available at the AusCycling results page.
For photos and video throughout the National Championships, make sure you follow AusCycling on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos: James Raison