The New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga is hosting next month’s AusCycling Junior and Masters Road National Championships, and as always, there’s plenty of interest in the courses.
What’s the road surface like? Will it be windy? How steep are those hills, really?
Some 300 competitors found out for themselves recently when they raced the NSW State Championships, which were held on the same courses as Nationals.
The time trials at Wantabadgery took on an out-and-back course, where the turnaround is at the top of a short, sharp climb. The road races, also at Wantabadgery, were held on a 31km circuit where the main climb peaked just over 4km from the finish.
The juniors also tackled the criterium track at the Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex.
Despite a few flurries of harsh weather, the feedback has wholly positive. Here’s what some of NSW’s latest state champions have to say.
Kate Lee (left) racing on the Wantabadgery road course. (Pedal and Pic Photography)
Kate Lee (Manly Warringah CC), winner of the Women’s Masters 1 road race, says:
I really enjoyed the course. 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. It really suits me as a rider, so that’s a bonus.
Ben Neppl (Newcastle Hunter CC) won the Men’s Masters 4 individual time trial and was the runner-up in the road race. He says the TT course will reward those who push at the right time, especially just before the turnaround:
Riders will settle into rhythm early, but the real test begins at the 7km mark.
A subtle 1% drag lulls you in before a sharp 400m pinch kicks up to 7% − a short, nasty effort that demands a calculated surge. Don’t be afraid to burn a few matches here.
The wildcard? Wind. The course is exposed, and gusts can make or break your pacing strategy. Whether it’s a tailwind out or a headwind home, smart watt management will be key.”
Ben Neppl putting his rivals in difficulty on one of Wagga’s short climbs. (Pedal and Pic Photography)
When it comes to the road race, Neppl says the course will reward the bold, especially those with a good punch:
The race begins with an 18km runout that mirrors the TT route, including the familiar 400m pinch that once again offers a chance to split the bunch early. Riders who know how to exploit short climbs will find another similar rise at 13km − just enough to sting the legs and test positioning.
From there, it’s a fast, flat drag to the left-hand turn onto Oura Road at 18km. That’s where the real work begins. Over the next 7km, the course climbs steadily ... It’s not brutal, but it’s long enough to reward the committed. Opportunists and breakaway specialists should have this section circled—it’s a prime launchpad.
Ross Bowles taking on the time trial at Wantabadgery. (Pedal and Pic Photography)
Ross Bowles (Harlequin) also won a gold and silver medal in the Men’s Masters 8 category. He’s also the reigning MMAS8 national champion in the road race and criterium. Bowles says he’d prefer some more climbing in the time trial, but he praises the safety of the courses:
The ITT course is quite fast and a good challenge; however, the halfway turnaround is a bit short. I think if you are going to have a hill in it, then the turnaround should be at about nine or 10 kilometres so the hill is crested from both sides. (No doubt I will regret suggesting it should be harder).
The road course was quite tough on the day with the nasty wind and horizontal rain. The decision to move the finish to the straight road entering the town was a very good decision, which was a very safe option.
Carlee Taylor, AusCycling’s Event Operations Manager, is looking forward to the high-quality racing, starting September 18:
For the road race, I think it's a really good all-round course and lends itself to an exciting race. After the main climb, there are about four kilometres to the finish, so the question will be, will a strong climber be able to stay away? Or would it come back for a bunch finish?
For the time trial the older juniors and masters will deal with a slightly more undulating time trial than the under-15s. The extra 2.5km does get a bit more rolling, but the classic country roads mean it will be pretty exposed out there.
The purpose-built criterium track is going to be fast. With multiple sweeping corners and changes in direction, I think it will lend itself to some aggressive racing.
Entries for the 2025 AusCycling Junior & Masters Road National Championships will close on September 11.
Cover photo: James Raison / AusCycling