ARA I Skip Capital kicked things off to a strong start over the past week at #RoadNats24
Bringing home 5 National Championship Titles plus 3 silver and 2 bronze medals.
In the ultimate week of Aussie cycling, we saw our athletes take on some of Australia’s best on the historic roads of Ballarat with some impressive results across both our men’s and women’s teams.
Blake Agnoletto celebrates in style
Arguably the happiest man on Sturt St on Saturday – Blake Agnoletto claimed the U23 National Criterium Championship with the team executing a near-perfect race to deliver Blake to the finish line from a reduced group of six.
A huge effort from Declan Trezise and Oliver Bleddyn driving the break to set up Blake for the sprint victory.
“It was amazing. The way the other boys rode with me and for me, it just shows how close we’ve come as a team over the last year. Spending a lot of time in Europe, we know how each other rides,” Agnoletto said.
“We had a plan and we executed it perfectly. A big ups to Declan Trezise and Oli Bleddyn; I owe them big time. What an awesome ride.”
For the U23 ladies Keira Will secured the silver in another solid team effort from our ARA I Skip Capital women.
Ella Simpson secures U23 Time Trial National Championship
Ella kicked her year off with a fast start taking Junior Time Trial National Championship victory ahead of last year’s Junior World Champion by 12.93 seconds.
“I told myself I could win and that’s a mindset I think you have to go into a race like this with, but honestly I’m so shocked, I didn’t think I would win so it’s a good day.”
Finishing strong on a tough day out on the iconic Buninyong circuit for the ladies racing alongside some of the best in the Women’s Elite/U23 Road Race, Ella claimed her place on the U23 podium followed by Sophie Maar in 4th place.
Lauren Bates does the double
After claiming the Junior National Time Trial Championship title with a 40 sec lead on her competitors Lauren backed it up to secure an impressive solo win at the Junior Road Race with a one minute and 40 second lead.
“It was a struggle, that race was really hard. I was cramping towards the end, but I kept pushing and saw an opportunity to attack away from the group of three and I just went for it.” Bates said.
“I couldn’t do this without ARA and the ACT Academy of Sport, all the staff there have helped me so much.”
Wil Holmes continues to impress
On the opening day of #RoadNats Wil claimed ARA I Skip Capital’s first National Championship Title in the Junior Men Time Trial.
The race favourite delivered an incredible performance with a time of 24 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of teammate Alex Eaves who secured the second step on the podium.
“It’s good to finally win. It’s been a lot of training and hard work to get to this position. After last year, it was good learning to realise what level I have to be at. It’s good to be up there now to get the gold medal,” said Holmes.
Wil backed it up for the Men’s Junior Road Race taking home silver alongside Max Goold who claimed bronze.
