2025 AusCycling Road National Championships: Complete Event Guide Perth

TL;DR

The 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships makes history by moving to Perth for the first time in 27 years, featuring time trials at Bold Park, criterium racing in Northbridge, and road races through Kings Park from January 8-12. Luke Plapp aims for an unprecedented fourth consecutive road race title, while Ruby Roseman-Gannon defends her dual championships, with local heroes Jai Hindley and Sam Welsford racing on their home turf. Free entry for spectators and comprehensive broadcast coverage across multiple platforms make this landmark event accessible to cycling fans worldwide.

Event Overview

The 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships marks a historic shift in Australian cycling, bringing elite racing to Perth for the first time in 27 years. From January 8-12, 2025, the championships will transform Perth's most iconic locations into thrilling race venues, featuring three distinct disciplines: time trials at Bold Park, criteriums in Northbridge, and road races through the heart of Kings Park.

Elite Racing Schedule

Kings Park's 13.6 km circuit serves as the centerpiece, where riders will battle for the coveted green and gold jersey across multiple categories. The championship features:

• Time trials spanning 39.2 km for elite men and 29.4 km for elite women

• A fast-paced criterium through Northbridge's technical corners

• Road races culminating in challenging climbs up Malcolm Street

Participant Categories

The event welcomes a complete spectrum of cyclists.

• Elite men and women

• Under-23 and junior divisions

• Para-cycling competitions

• Masters categories

Venue Highlights

The championships showcase Perth's premier locations.

• Bold Park's rolling 9.8 km time trial circuit

• Northbridge's vibrant 1.2 km criterium course

• Kings Park's spectacular road race route with Swan River views

This championship represents more than just racing—it's a landmark moment for Western Australian cycling, promising to deliver world-class competition while boosting local tourism and the economy. The event's move to Perth introduces fresh challenges and opportunities for Australia's top cyclists, setting the stage for unprecedented racing action.

Race Schedule and Courses

The 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships features three distinct racing formats across Perth's most scenic locations. Here's everything you need to know about the race schedule and courses.

Time Trial - Bold Park (January 8-9)

The Bold Park circuit offers a fast-flowing 9.8 km course with two strategic step-like climbs. Riders face the ultimate test of raw power and pacing as they tackle multiple laps in this race against the clock. Elite men will complete four laps totaling 39.2 km, while elite women race three laps for 29.4 km.

Criterium - Northbridge (January 10)

The Northbridge criterium brings high-speed racing to Perth's vibrant entertainment district. This technical 1.2 km circuit features six corners that demand precise bike handling and tactical awareness. The mix of wide boulevards and narrow side streets creates exciting racing action, with riders battling for position through every lap.

Road Race - Kings Park (January 11-12)

The championship's flagship event unfolds on a challenging 13.6 km circuit through Kings Park. Each lap packs 193 m of elevation gain, featuring an uphill drag through the park, a scenic Swan River section, and a brutal 12.3% gradient climb up Malcolm Street. The finish line, positioned 400m after the final climb, sets the stage for thrilling sprint finishes.

Steadyrack Gran Fondo (January 12)

The Gran Fondo offers cycling enthusiasts a unique chance to tackle the same challenging course as the elite riders. This mass participation event showcases Kings Park's scenic beauty while testing riders on the championship circuit, creating an unforgettable experience for amateur cyclists.

Title Defenders & Key Contenders

Time Trial Dominance

Luke Plapp enters the Perth championships as the undisputed king of Australian time trials. His remarkable journey from Brunswick Cycling Club to claiming three consecutive national titles showcases his meteoric rise in professional cycling. The defending champion faces an exciting showdown with Jay Vine, who brings impressive WorldTour podium finishes and a fifth place at the World Championships to this battle for supremacy.

Road Race Royalty

The green and gold jersey has become almost synonymous with Luke Plapp, who stands on the brink of making history with a potential fourth consecutive road race title. Ruby Roseman-Gannon arrives with sparkling form after her stunning sixth place at the World Championships, where she matched pedal strokes with cycling's global elite.

Local Heroes' Homecoming

Perth's Pride

The championship's move to Western Australia brings an emotional homecoming for several stars:

• Jai Hindley, the 2022 Giro d'Italia champion, returns to race on the streets where his cycling dreams began

• Sam Welsford, fresh from Olympic glory in the Team Pursuit, brings his explosive sprint to familiar territory

• Luke Durbridge, whose intimate knowledge of every corner could prove decisive in the technical sections

Rising Stars: Names to Watch

The championship showcases Australia's emerging talent:

• Zack Marriage and Will Holmes lead an exciting wave of U23 time trial specialists

• Sophia Sammons carries Western Australian hopes with meticulous preparation

• Fergus Browning returns to defend his U23 title with remarkable resilience, having overcome a pre-race accident in 2024

The Perth courses promise thrilling racing action, where the shorter, punchier climbs of Kings Park replace Buninyong's long ascents. This tactical shift opens opportunities for both powerful sprinters and crafty breakaway specialists, setting the stage for an unforgettable championship.

How to Watch

Free-to-Air and Cable

• SBS and SBS VICELAND (Australia)

• Fox Sports Australia

• Kayo Sports (Australia)

Streaming Platforms

• SBS On Demand: Free live streaming and catch-up service for Australian viewers

• GCN+ (Global Cycling Network): International coverage with English commentary

Official Platforms

• AusCycling YouTube channel: Daily highlights and race recaps

• RoadNats25 social media:

• Facebook Live updates

• Instagram Stories

• X (formerly Twitter) live commentary

• TikTok behind-the-scenes content

Spectator Live Access

Free Entry

All championship events are free to attend, with multiple prime viewing locations across Perth's iconic venues. Spectators can freely move between designated viewing areas to catch different aspects of the racing.

Best Viewing Spots

Time Trial (January 8-9)

• Prime location: Outside Perth High Performance Centre

• Access from 9:30 AM both days

• Plenty of space along Bold Park circuit

Criterium (January 10)

• Northbridge Piazza: GWM Cannon Club hub

• Multiple Hahn Official Clubhouse venues

• Evening racing atmosphere with city lights

Road Race (January 11-12)

• Pedal Mafia Mountain at Malcolm Street summit

• Features DJ, pop-up bar, and big screen

• Kings Park vantage points

• Swan River waterfront sections

Spectator Guidelines

Do's

• Bring portable chairs or picnic rugs

• Pack water, hat, and sun protection

• Make signs to support riders

• Take photos and videos

• Cheer enthusiastically

Don'ts

• Touch or interfere with riders

• Lean over barriers

• Step onto the race course

• Bring pets, BBQs, or drones

• Set up marquees along the course

Conclusion

The 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships in Perth promises to be an unforgettable milestone in Australian cycling history. From the fast-paced time trials at Bold Park to the technical criterium racing through Northbridge and the challenging road races in Kings Park, this five-day event showcases the best of Australian cycling talent. Whether you're cheering for defending champions like Luke Plapp and Ruby Roseman-Gannon, supporting local heroes Jai Hindley and Sam Welsford, or discovering rising stars, the championships offer something for everyone. With free entry for spectators, multiple viewing locations, and comprehensive broadcast coverage across global platforms, this historic return to Perth after 27 years sets a new standard for national cycling events. Join us from January 8-12, 2025, as Western Australia writes its next chapter in cycling history. Let's cycle to Mars together.