Australian road cycling nationals 2024: Two time defending champion Luke Plapp reflects on final Ballarat race

Ballarat and Buninyong have been a happy hunting ground for two-time defending champion Luke Plapp, and it’s going to be hard to say goodbye when this year’s race ends.

As Ballarat prepares to host its final Road Nationals road race for the time being, defending champion Luke Plapp admits it will be hard to say goodbye.

The Team Jayco AlUla rider is looking to win the race for the third straight year after dominating the past two years.

He is looking to become just the third rider to win three straight titles and the sixth rider to win three or more road race national titles.

“It’s been an amazing few years being in Buninyong and it’s sad that it’s (road race) leaving,” he said.

“I want to make the most of it one last time, hopefully it comes back in the future.

“Ever since we’ve been here, in juniors, 23s and elites I’ve managed to take a jersey home each year.”

Luke Plapp won his second straight men's road race at the Road Nationals in Ballarat in 2023. Photo by Con Chronis/AusCycling.

Plapp continued the record onThursday, taking out the time trial, his second national title in the format after also winning in 2021.

But it’s been the road race in recent years where he has shined and the 23-year-old the past two years has been able to attack at the right time.

“I’ve learned a lot from the past two years, I’ve been more calculated,” Plapp said.

“In 2021, I raced a lot off instinct and I got very close to the win but I was a bit young, naive and silly and I blew up at the end and lost the race in the last minute.”

While experience has counted for a lot, Plapp’s ability to know when to attack and knowing Buninyong’s track off by heart has been even more significant.

And it comes down to his preparation off the track to make it right in the first week of January.

“I’ve actually done quite a lot of heat preparation and sauna work leading up to this and it’s quite hard in the sauna to wait for the time to go by but I shut my eyes and visualise this course,” he revealed.

“I know every corner and every pothole on this circuit and I really do love this circuit.”

This year will be different for Plapp with the rider part of Team Jayco AlUla for the first time after signing from Ineos Granadiers.

While he has an easier pathway to the title with plenty of help expected from teammates, it also provides a challenge.

The National Road Cycling Championships through the streets of Ballarat.

Does he get the chance to win for the team or will one of his teammates, sprinter Caleb Ewan, or Lucas Hamilton, Chris Harper or Michael Hepburn get the chance to win for the first time?

Then there is the threat of rain, with five to 10mm expected to fall during the race.

“I don’t know how we will be playing it out,” Plapp said.

“We’ve got some amazing form and some amazing riders.

“The weather will play a part as well.

“We’ll really wait and play it out on the day but I’d love to do a third (title).”

Especially in the final race for a while.

“I’ll have fond memories of this place and be so thankful for everyone who has helped me along the way to get me to where I have,” he said.

“I’ll certainly miss it.

“They’ve (organisers) had it here for 21 years and there’s a reason for that, they do it better than anyone else.

“It’s a great venue.”

The men’s road race will start at 1pm.