The start of a new year means the summer of road cycling has returned. As is now customary, the season begins with Australia’s national championships, this year named the Westbridge Funds Road National Championships.
The event returns to Perth, WA, where our best road cyclists will hope to open their accounts for 2026 by pulling on the coveted, iconic green-and-gold jersey of Australian champion.
What’s happening and when?
Here’s a quick overview of the race schedule:
| Wed, Jan 7 | Time Trials |
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| Thu, Jan 8 | Time Trials |
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| Fri, Jan 9 | Criteriums |
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| Sat, Jan 10 | Road Races |
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| Sun, Jan 11 | Road Races |
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What are the courses like?
The courses for the time trial, criterium and road race are unchanged from 2025.
The time trial is fast and flowy with plenty of long straight, sections to get the power down. It suits a time-trialling specialist. The elite women race for just under 30km; the elite men for just under 40km.
The criterium in Perth’s inner-city suburb of Northbridge is tight, flat and technical. With six corners on a 1.2-kilometre street circuit, it’ll be a constant fight for position.
The road race takes on a picturesque 13.6-kilometre circuit through Perth’s CBD and leafy Kings Park. It’s defined by the steep pinch of Malcolm Street (aka Pedal Mafia Mountain) that peaks just 400 metres before the finish.
Last year, the course proved much more selective than it appears on paper, with very few opportunities to rest. The women race over 109km; the elite men, for 13 laps or 177km.
Who are the favourites?
In the elite men’s races, Team Jayco AlUla are (as usual) the top favourites for victory. Australia’s only WorldTour team includes hometown heroes Luke Durbridge (the defending road race champion) and Tour de France stage winner Ben O’Connor. Three-time road champion Luke Plapp is once again in scintillating form for both the road race and time trial.
Plapp and Durbridge return as two of Jayco AlUla's outstanding options.
A big challenger will be Jay Vine, a renowned climber and the most likely to wrest the time trial crown from Plapp’s shoulders.
West Australian youngster Brady Gilmore is certainly a contender after his fourth place last year, especially now that he’s stepped up to the professional ranks. Giro stage winner Chris Harper will also be a factor for his new team, Pinarello Q36.5.
Jay Vine and Brady Gilmore are two of the top men's contenders.
In the criterium, look to Perth sprinter Sam Welsford in his first outing for his new team, INEOS Grenadiers, to repeat his heroics on the streets of Northbridge.
For the elite women, Brodie Chapman is the best time triallist on paper and can deliver a road race-winning performance, as she did in 2023.
A Lidl-Trek triumvirate of Amanda Spratt (three-time road race winner) and Lauretta Hanson, supported by Felicity Wilson-Haffenden pose a powerful challenge.
Spratt, Pate and Chapman are all former or defending national champions.
For CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, Neve Bradbury and Tiffany Cromwell (both Giro stage winners) present an intriguing force, while AG Insurance-Soudal’s Alex Manly has race-winning pedigree, alongside Tasmania’s Anya Louw.
Once again, it’s the WorldTour squad Liv AlUla Jayco with the most cards to play. Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Josie Talbot, Georgia Baker and Amber Pate are all proven race winners at the top level, though we suspect the biggest cheers will be for local Mackenzie Coupland in her first ride for the WorldTour squad.
The breakaway stole the show in 2025. Which young riders will step up in 2026?
Last year, we saw a development rider take a surprise victory: defending champion Lucinda Stewart returns for the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental team, alongside several of her fellow bright stars of the future.
In the criterium, fast finishers such as track cycling specialists Maeve Plouffe and Sophie Edwards will provide a stiff challenge.
I’m in Perth – How can I join in the fun?
Get yourself roadside to watch Australia’s best cyclists take on the streets of Perth!
There plenty of free activities and activations happening alongside the National Championships to keep you and the whole family entertained, including:
- Friday: You and your family can hit the streets of Northbridge for the free AusBike Community Ride
- Friday: We’ll bring the energy and noise with a live DJ, ice-cold drinks and legendary steak sandwiches at the Pedal Mafia x Torre Butchers Block Party
- Friday: Grab a cold beverage and a warm meal at one of six Hahn Official Clubhouse Venues in Northbridge
- Sunday: Join the party at Pedal Mafia Mountain, the place to be for the elite road races. Featuring a DJ, big screen and the Hahn Bend Before the End pop-up bar
- Sunday: Take the whole clan along to free jumping sessions, a pump track, face painting and more at the AusBike Family Zone
- Friday and Sunday: Kick up your feet with massage guns and ice baths at the GWM Hi4-T Recharge Zone
For more information, check out our official Spectator Guide.
I’m not in Perth – How can I watch it?
The National Championships will be live on SBS and Fox Sports in Australia, and on FloBikes internationally. For details, see the broadcast schedule below.
You’ll also be able to catch up with daily highlights on AusCycling’s YouTube channel.
Friday, January 9
2:30pm AWST – U23 Men, Elite & U23 Women, Elite Men Criteriums
- SBS On Demand
- Kayo
- FloBikes
Saturday, January 10
1:00pm AWST – U23 Men Road Race
- SBS VICELAND + SBS On Demand
- Kayo
- FloBikes
Sunday, January 11
10:30am AWST – Elite & U23 Women Road Race
- SBS + SBS On Demand
- Fox Sports + Kayo
- FloBikes
3:00pm AWST – Elite Men Road Race
- SBS VICELAND + SBS On Demand
- Fox Sports + Kayo
- FloBikes
How can I follow on social media?
Use the hashtag #RoadNats26 and follow AusCycling on Instagram and Facebook.
Photos: Zac Williams and Chris Auld