Courses revealed for 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships

AusCycling has announced the courses for the 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships, where Perth’s inner-city Kings Park will be the centrepiece of Australia’s most prestigious cycling races.

Kings Park and the CBD will host a picturesque road race in a scintillating week of racing that features time trials in the city’s west and an urban criterium in Perth’s entertainment capital, Northbridge.

Time Trial (January 8–9)

The time trials will open Road Nationals on a flowing circuit based around Bold Park within the Town of Cambridge and the City of Nedlands.

Each anti-clockwise lap will take riders around Bold Park, bringing them within a stone’s throw of City Beach before they power along the highway and complete the 9.8-kilometre loop.

Two step-like climbs punctuate a fast course that will bring the best riders to the fore against the clock.

“We’ve designed a time trial circuit that will allow riders to carry their speed all around the course,” said Kipp Kaufmann, AusCycling’s Executive General Manager – Sport.

“It will be a true test of strength and aerodynamics, with just enough climbing to add an extra level of challenge.

“For spectators, there will be great viewing opportunities around Bold Park, particularly along the well-shaded section of Perry Lakes Drive just after the start.”

The elite men will contest four laps (39.2km) and the elite women three laps (29.4km).

Criterium (January 10)

Perth’s cultural hub of Northbridge will be buzzing with energy on Friday when Australia’s best crit racers do battle on a technical street circuit.

With six corners per lap, the 1.2-kilometre course is designed to produce explosive racing.

Expect a festival atmosphere in the bars, restaurants and streets surrounding Northbridge Piazza, where the high-speed action will light up the big screen.

“We’re excited to bring the criterium national championships to such a vibrant precinct as Northbridge,” said Kaufmann.

“The inner-city location makes it easy for people to come down on Friday evening to watch Australia’s quickest riders on their local streets.

“It’s a fast but technical course with a mixture of wide boulevards and narrow side streets. This course gives plenty of opportunities for attacking riders to break away and get out of sight of the chasing bunch.”

Road Race (January 11–12)

The highly prized road race national championships will be contested on a well-balanced course that starts and finishes inside Kings Park.

The 13.6-kilometre circuit twists and turns through the green heart of Perth, which is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks.

After exiting Kings Park, the peloton will enjoy spectacular waterfront views as they race alongside the Swan River and into the CBD.

The punchy climb up William Street and Malcolm Street tops out just 400 metres before the finish. These late pinches, combined with an uphill drag within the park, make for a course that will suit a wide range of riders.

“Between the lush greenery and spectacular lookouts of Kings Park, and the cosmopolitan city streets of the CBD, I can’t think of a more appropriate setting for Australia’s road race championships,” said Kaufmann.

“The course is challenging, but equitable: it doesn’t suit just one type of racer. A punchy climber may be able to get away, while a cagey sprinter may be able to hang on. It’s anyone’s race.

“It will be easy for fans to access the unparalleled viewing opportunities along Malcolm Street and in Kings Park, where the national champions will be decided.

“We’d like to thank the City of Perth, Tourism Western Australia and the WA Government for enabling us to bring the crown jewel of Australian road cycling into the heart of their capital city.”

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas commented: “The City of Light is excited to play host to such an iconic Aussie race this summer and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to our beautiful city.

“We’re proud that Northbridge will be on show as part of the circuit, and I know the people of Perth will rally together to create a vibrant fan zone atmosphere in the heart of our cultural centre.”

WA Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said: “Securing this major cycling event over three years works to bolster WA’s events calendar, raising our profile and building the state’s reputation as a world-class events destination and events calendar that’s always on, year-round.

“Passing through locations like Kings Park and the Swan River, which highlight Perth’s proximity and appreciation for stunning natural scenery; and Northbridge, Perth’s bustling cultural hotspot, the National Championships courses showcase some of the best Perth has to offer.

“With mass-participation events being such a crucial driver of economic impact, the WA Government is proud to have secured this prestigious sporting event for the state, as it promises to drive thousands out-of-state visitors to Perth and boost local tourism and hospitality businesses.”

WA Sport Minister David Templeman said: “I am thrilled that the largest road cycling participation event in Australia is set to tour Perth streets over the next three years, and I eagerly look forward to joining spectators along the circuits to see the action play out this summer.

“Iconic events like this bring people together from all over the nation, connecting locals and tourists and adding vibrancy to the community.”

Photos: Con Chronis