The Drapac-Cannondale Holistic Development team has enjoyed a great start to the 2019 season at the FedUni Road National Championships, finishing with a gold medal to Charles Sturt University student Liam Magennis in the under-23 time-trial.
Friday saw the team representing in both the under-23 and elite criterium, with Jensen Plowright and Tom Bolton crossing the line at 5th and 8th respectively in under-23’s, and Theo Yates coming in at a hard fought 5th, behind an incredibly strong Brenton Jones who won his maiden National title in the race.
The under-23 road race showed encouraging signs from the team’s youngest riders. All three riders rode well and were in every move of the day, with Liam Magennis the team’s best placed finisher, sprinting in for 13th.
The elite road race was always going to be challenging for a smaller team, however Patrick Burt put in a stellar performance in the break all day. Ballarat’s own Liam White also rode well, finishing his first road race in Elites, which was a personal goal for him.
The under-23 time-trial saw Liam Magennis come up against some formidable talent including junior world’s silver medallist Luke Plapp, Sam Jenner and Kell O’Brien, however Magennis was able to stick to his race plan perfectly and come away with a convincing 20-second win over Luke Plapp in 2nd place.
“This one means a lot”, said Magennis on his incredible win. “I’m so happy that I can finally call myself a national champion. Big thanks to my coach Stu Shaw, and to the whole team at Drapac Cycling for their support”. Liam will now work towards continuing his time-trial form at the Oceania time-trials, and potentially the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire.
The elite time-trial saw Liam White and Patrick Burt both put in respectable rides, in what was the strongest time-trial field in recent history.
Sport Director Agostino Giramondo was ecstatic with how the team represented themselves during Road Nationals, saying, “The boys rode with great comradery all week and have come home once again with a National Champion. I am very happy with where we are at in this early stage of the season”.
Next up for Drapac-Cannondale is the New Zealand Cycle Classic, beginning in Cambridge on Wednesday the 23rd of January.
