From 2025 through to 2027, the National Championships will be held in Perth, Western Australia. This will mark the first time the event has been hosted in Perth since 1997, and we’re going to need the help of the Perth cycling community to make these the best Nationals ever. It’s not just the Elites and Pros that get to have a go, recent Nationals have also hosted events that Amateurs can enter.
The official courses and schedule have now been released, you can check them out on the Road Nationals website. In support of the Elite categories, there are several races that are within reach of the average Joe and Joan:
- Club Team Time Trial
- Club Team Criterium
- Gran Fondo National Championships
The Team Time Trial is first of these events on Wednesday 8th January. Teams are made up of 3-4 people, with the ages of the youngest 3 riders combined to determine the age category (90/120/150/180). A team car is also allowed for this event so we might be on the lookout for drivers too. A Lifestyle membership or greater is required.
Next is the Criterium on Friday 10th January. Teams can be anything from 3 to 8 members, but all members in a team must be within the same age category (MMAS1-3, MMAS4-6, MMAS7+, WMAS1-4, WMAS5+). Results for each race are awarded points, and along with bonus sprint points, combined at the end to award a Champion Club. Race license required.
For both the TTT and Crit it should be noted there are a few regulations about entering:
- Entire team must be entered and paid at once.
- Teams are club-based, and team members must be representing their primary club (unless their club is not participating).
- Team members must wear matching club kit.
The Gran Fondo event will take place on Sunday 12th January, first thing in the morning. Entries are individual, so you don’t need a team in order to enter. The licensing requirements are also lower with only a Lifestyle membership with AusCycling required. Click here to see the full details about the course and age categories.
PDCC will select a “Club Captain” soon that will accept registrations of interest as a first point of order. They will work together with everyone interested to make team selections, and possibly organise some training sessions prior to January. The club will also soon organise for another Club Kit portal so you can be matchy-matchy with your teammates. Send an email with your Name, DOB, and if you are interested in the Crit and/or TTT to team@pdcc.asn.au.