Surprise winners at the Australian National Road Race Championships

The men's 176-kilometre race came down to a thrilling finale after Luke Durbridge's solo attack was caught by a chasing group that contained Jayco AlUla teammate Luke Plapp and Patrick Eddy in the closing stages. 

The Jayco AlUla veteran had gone clear in a bid to claim his second title, but the combination of Team Brennan and Jayco riders behind worked together to bring him back before the line.

When the catch was made, Team Brennan's Patrick Eddy proved strongest in the sprint, holding off Luke Plapp to claim the biggest victory of his career. The result marks a breakthrough moment for the 23-year-old, who will now wear the distinctive Australian champion's jersey throughout 2026, for Team Brennan after the Aussie departed Picnic PostNL at the end of the 2025 season.

Plapp had to settle for silver despite his team's numerical advantage in the finale, whilst Decathlon CMA CGM's Oscar Chamberlain took bronze nine seconds later, continuing his development as one of Australia's brightest young talents.

After the race Eddy said: “When the break got that gap, I thought it was done and we were just riding a bit of a Grand Fondo out there. But it all came back together in the last 40 minutes, and I thought I was a bit cooked being outnumbered by the Jayco boys, but… It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

In the Women's Elite race, neo-pro Mackenzie Coupland, just 20 years old, delivered a commanding performance over 108 kilometres, soloing to victory for Liv AlUla Jayco. She crossed the line after nearly three hours of racing, with teammate Ruby Roseman-Gannon following later to complete a perfect one-two for the Australian WorldTour squad.

CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto's Neve Bradbury rounded out the podium, crossing 36 seconds behind Coupland to take bronze.