What Perth cyclists are saying about the Nationals courses

After the new Road Nationals courses were unveiled back in August, they’ve been a focus of intrigue and speculation.

How hard is that final climb? How hot will it be? Will the wind play a factor? How good will it look on TV?

We’ve asked members of Perth’s cycling community to weigh in. Tapping into their local knowledge, here’s what Perth is saying about the road race course for the 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships.

Australian cyclist Jai Hindley at the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong. Photo by Stu Baker.

Photo: Stu Baker

‘Very tactical’ – Jai Hindley, 2022 Giro d’Italia winner: “On paper it looks much easier than the Ballarat course, but it will still be a tough day out and probably a pretty open race. Very tactical, and the finish is also quite punchy as well.

“There are some iconic Perth locations on the course. Like Kings Park with the view over the city, down Mounts Bay Road along the river past the boat shed, and past the brewery back to the CBD and up that kicker to Kings Park and finishing with that view: awesome. Really cool.”

‘A beautiful place’ – Ryan Suckling, fourth generation Perth cyclist: “The course itself, a lot of people over east think it’s going to be easy going; it’s fairly flat. I can tell you now, it’s a very challenging circuit. And when you’re doing laps of the climb on Malcolm Street, it will still have a fair bit of attrition. It’s not a long climb, but it’s steep.

“This race is in the city. The backdrop and the scenery is amazing. I think if people that are racing get to look around and they’re not suffering too much, they’re going to be in for a treat.

“It is a beautiful place. They’ve got the river, they’ve got city views. It’s parkland within Kings Park. It is actually just a beautiful backdrop to have such an amazing race.”

Sophia Sammons, Western Australian road cyclist in an individual time trial for Cycling Development Foundation. Photo by Con Chronis

Photo: Con Chronis

‘Wind is almost guaranteed’ – Sophia Sammons, Oceania U23 Time Trial Champion: “I am super excited for the Nationals to be held in Perth this year! With the race being so close to the CBD, it'll hopefully be well supported by spectators and onlookers! The road course itself looks very challenging, especially with two short, sharp climbs every lap.

“Position will be important throughout the whole race but especially coming down Lovekin to make the turn on to Mounts Bay Road. With a strong tailwind/crosswind, which is almost guaranteed in the afternoons, the ‘pelo’ is likely to get strung out along Mounts Bay Road, leaving those at the back behind.

“While I am not doing the criterium, I will be doing the time trial, which I have ridden a number of times. I really enjoy the rolling climbs mixed in with the fast flatter sections! The corner onto West Coast Highway can be taken at some speed, which will carry over into an already fast stretch of road.”

‘It will heat up’ – Maya and ‘JZ’ Zoranjic, Steadyrack Gran Fondo participants

Maya: “Because the buildings are there [in the CBD], you can imagine if it’s hot, it will heat up and they will feel the heat coming from the ground. The hill starts there and the pinch finishes there.”

JZ: “The course is very interesting. It has flats, downhills. It’s going to be fairly fast and very technical coming off Kings Park, down Mounts Bay Road and into the city; there are a few twisting corners around the roundabouts.

“For the Gran Fondo, it’s about 1,000 metres of climbing, which is quite a lot for that distance.

“It all depends on the weather, as well. When it’s windy, it’s not too bad, you’re going through Kings Park so there is a bit of shelter. It’s only when you come down along the river that you’re exposed. It’s not too bad, but if it gets hot early, then it’s going to be tough for everybody, so that’s going to be interesting.”

Western Australian road cyclist Brady Gilmore in the Oceania road national champion's jersey during the under-23 men's road race at the 2023 Federation University Road National Championships in Buninyong, Ballarat, Victoria. Photo by Zac Wiliams.

Photo: Zac Williams

‘Difficult day for most’ – Brady Gilmore, former Oceania U23 Champion: “I think the course has a range of tough aspects, being technical with lots of tight corners and short punchy climbs – and, of course, the Perth wind and heat will add a lot to it. Hard to say how the race will play out, but it will be a difficult day for most.

“Couldn’t be better scenery as you are on the Swan River with a full view of the city as you come into Kings Park.”

The 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships will be held from January 8-12 in Perth, Western Australia.

Feature photo: Zac Williams / AusCycling