The 2025 Australian Road National Championships in Perth, Western Australia, showcased everything that makes junior racing crucial to the future of Australian cycling. The weekend embodied the heart of grassroots talent development - offering young riders the chance to shine on a national stage and cementing the importance of nurturing this pathway for future success.

For ARA Skip Capital, it was a weekend that perfectly encapsulated why investment in junior cycling matters. With the launch of their new junior program, the team not only delivered standout performances but also underscored their role in shaping the next generation of cycling champions.

Dominating the Junior Categories

Time Trials

The championships began with an incredible performance by Amelie Sanders, who claimed the national title in the U19 Women’s Time Trial, securing a decisive victory. Amelie’s ride was nothing short of exceptional, reinforcing her reputation as a rising star. Not far behind, Leani Van Der Berg put in a strong effort to earn third place, finishing just 20 seconds back. In the U19 Men’s category, Max Goold led the ARA charge, with the team securing 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th positions in a highly competitive field.

Criteriums

The criterium events brought high-paced action to the streets of Northbridge. In the U19 Women’s Criterium, Amelie Sanders doubled down, claiming her second national title of the weekend in a nail-biting sprint finish. Teammate Anna Dubier pushed her all the way to the line, earning a hard-fought second place. For the U19 Men, Connor Wright applied pressure to the entire peloton early on, responsible for a significantly thinning out the bunch. In the end, Ollie Jirovec powered through the final uphill sprint to secure the gold, with Alex Hewes clinching bronze in an impressive display of team tactics.

Road Race

The road races closed the weekend in spectacular fashion. In the U19 Women’s event, Anna Dubier executed a perfect race strategy to win the national title, leading an ARA Skip Capital podium sweep with Amelie Sanders and Leani Van Der Berg taking second and third, respectively. The U19 Men’s Road Race was equally thrilling, defined by relentless attacks and smart race management. Alex Hewes emerged victorious, claiming the national champion’s jersey, while Jonas Shelverton crossed the line in second after a gutsy ride in the breakaway.

"Winning the ProVelo Super League earns a stagiaire contract with the Men's and Women's Australian UCI WorldTour Team, Jayco AlUla"

Celebrating ARA Alumni

The impact of ARA Skip Capital extends well beyond their current roster, as alumni performances shone just as brightly.

• Lucinda Stewart, who raced with ARA Skip Capital last year, delivered a standout performance, taking the win in the Elite Women’s Road Race, a significant milestone in her career.
• Brady Gilmore and Blake Agnoletto were in chase bunch for most of the day, and were right up there through the final selection. Brady finished one step off the podium in fourth, whilst Blake was 8th.
• Matilda Raynolds (Tils) made her national commentary on SBS, earning praise for her insight and charisma. Tils, a former Black Sheep employee and a long-time advocate for the sport, is a future star in the commentary booth, and we can’t wait to see where she goes.

Looking Ahead

The success at the National Championships is only the beginning for ARA Skip Capital in 2025. With the ProVelo Super League kicking off in Adelaide next weekend. Winning the ProVelo Super League comes with more than just bragging rights - riders in the men's U23 category earn a stagiaire contract with the Australian UCI WorldTour team, Jayco AlUla, while the women's U23 champion secures a one-year contract with the Liv Jayco AlUla Continental development team. This offers a direct pathway into professional cycling. For young cyclists, this can be a career-defining moment, opening doors to their future in elite racing and providing crucial experience at the highest level.