Luke Durbridge (Jayco-AlUla) celebrated a long-awaited victory at the Australian Road National Championships in Perth, clinching the elite men’s road race title 12 years after his first triumph. The 33-year-oldโs victory came with the help of teammate and defending champion Luke Plapp, who sacrificed his own chances to guide Durbridge to the line on the final lap of the challenging 177km course.
Durbridge, who had launched an ambitious solo attack with 82km remaining, was visibly fatigued in the final stages but held on with support from Plapp. Speaking to broadcaster SBS after the race, an emotional Durbridge said, “Both quads had gone and my back had gone as well. Then Plappy said, โJust hold the wheel, mate, and itโs yours.โ Heโs just so strong. Iโm so happy to get it.”
Early aggression sets the tone
The menโs elite race, held over 13 laps of a 13.6km circuit through Kings Park, past the Swan River, and into the Perth city centre, began aggressively. Durbridge launched the first attack just 10km into the race, joining forces with Conor Leahy. The Western Australian duo quickly gained a lead, with Leahy providing early support.
However, the course proved unforgiving. With gradients peaking at 12% and a relentless pace in the peloton, Leahy eventually dropped back, leaving Durbridge alone at the front with over 80km to race. By the halfway mark, the Jayco-AlUla rider had stretched his advantage to more than three minutes, a lead that began to dwindle as the race entered its final laps.
Despite Durbridgeโs strong showing, the race was far from over. Key contenders, including Jai Hindley, Jay Vine, and Plapp, were active in the reduced peloton, attempting to organise a chase. With 40km remaining, Vine launched an attack that significantly cut into Durbridgeโs lead, but the lack of sustained cooperation in the group allowed the solo leader to maintain a two-minute gap.
As the race neared its conclusion, Plapp, who had already claimed the time trial title earlier in the week, made his move. With 15km to go, he bridged to Durbridge, ensuring the team had control at the front. Plapp then led his teammate through the final lap, urging him on and shielding him from the chasing group.
A team effort to the finish
The decisive moment came on the final climb, where Plapp looked over his shoulder to check the gap before slowing to allow Durbridge to take the win. The pair crossed the line arm in arm before Durbridge surged ahead to claim his second national road race title. Plapp finished in second, 58 seconds ahead of Liam Walsh, who rounded out the podium after outpacing his rivals in the chasing group.
โItโs amazing,โ said Durbridge. โThatโs one of the proudest moments of my life. Iโve just got to thank Luke Plappโhe didnโt need to do that. He could have taken his fourth consecutive title, but he was a true champion today.โ
Plapp, reflecting on his decision, told reporters, “That was all Durboโs. Heโs been amazing for Australian cycling for so many years. To have the national champs in his backyard, I knew how much it meant to him. Everyoneโs happy for Durbo.”
A home crowd celebration
The victory was especially poignant for Durbridge, who grew up in Perthโs eastern suburbs and had long trained on the roads that hosted this yearโs championships. The move to Perth marked a significant shift for the Nationals, which had been held in Ballarat for the past 18 years.
โIt wasnโt in the plan to go that early,โ admitted Durbridge. โMaybe a little ambitious. But when the gap got to three minutes, I thought, โIโm in good shape here.โโ He credited his teammates for disrupting the chase behind, saying, โWithout Plappy and the guys back there, I probably wouldnโt have won today.โ
The race saw only 26 finishers from a starting field of 65, with local favourite Sam Welsford abandoning after a crash in the early laps. Hindley and Vine finished among the top 10, but their efforts to close the gap ultimately fell short.
Former Paris Roubaix winner and Jayco-AlUla director Mat Hayman praised the teamโs collective effort, calling Durbridgeโs victory โa fairytale endingโ on home soil. โHe died a thousand deaths out there, but he had a guardian angel in Luke Plapp.โ
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Chris Auld/AusCycling