Watch all the best events from the 2024 Australian Road National Championships in Ballarat LIVE and FREE on SBS and SBS On Demand from January 3-7.
The 2024 edition of the Australian Road National Championships are set to be a celebration of two decades of elite domestic cycling, as Ballarat prepares to host the event for the 18th consecutive year and 21st in its history.
A place synonymous with cycling in Australia, Ballarat first hosted the Road Nationals in 2002, and have been the backdrop for incredible editions in the two decades since.
Once again, the nation's best cyclists will descend on Ballarat in 2024 to vie for the coveted green and gold national champion's jerseys.
“I love racing nationals in Ballarat; it has a special place in my heart," current two-time elite men's road race champion, Luke Plapp said.
"I love the terrain. I think the course offers a race for everyone. You can have a sprinter on the podium one year, or a climber winning it the next.
“It’s a brilliant atmosphere around Buninyong. We love it as riders. You can feel everyone getting more energetic and excited as the laps count down, and it all comes down to that final showdown on the last lap."
Road Nationals proceedings kick off with the time trials on January 3 and 4 around Federation University's Mount Helen Campus, before the fast-paced criteriums around the roads of the Ballarat CBD on January 5.
The week closes with the road races around the iconic Buninyong circuit on January 6 and 7.
Both road races will be live and free on SBS and SBS On Demand, while the criteriums and under-23 men's road race will be available live on SBS On Demand for Australian cycling fans to enjoy the best of the action.
“Ballarat has become synonymous with the national road championships over the past two decades," Race director Scott McGrory said.
"The course, the riders and the fans always make for an exhilarating week of racing and a highlight of the Australian cycling calendar.
“I’m confident 2024 will give us another fantastic edition – one not to be missed.”
