2024 Australian Gravel National Champion
Wearing Green and Gold: My Victory at the Australian Elite Men’s Gravel National Championships
On Saturday, June 24th, I had the privilege of lining up at Derby in North East Tasmania for the Australian Elite Men’s Gravel National Championships, hosted by the Devil’s Cardigan Race. Derby is already legendary for its mountain biking, but on this day it became the centre of Australian gravel racing.
Brutal Conditions, Iconic Backdrop
In the week leading up to the race, more than 250mm of rain fell on the course, with 100mm in the 24 hours before we rolled out. The course was super muddy, slippery, and truly Tasmanian. When we left Derby in the morning, it was just 3°C and covered in mist.
On paper it was no easy day out. The course was only 106km long, relatively short for a gravel race but it was packed with 2,300m of climbing, including three brutal ascents:
Mutual Valley (8.3km at 4.2%)
Ralph Falls (10.7km at 5%)
The Un-named Climb of Hell (3.5km at 8.1%)
And to top it off, a mudddy singletrack climb that was barely rideable only a few kms before the finish.
The Race Unfolds
From the gun, the pace was fierce. The rain-soaked climbs and muddy roads split the field quickly, and every rider had to fight their own battle against fatigue and the elements. I had some dark moments early on where I wondered if I’d even make it through the day, but I kept finding ways to push on.
By the final climbs, the race had narrowed to a handful of us trading attacks. On the last major ascent, I made my move and managed to ride clear. It wasn’t smooth sailing – cramps and fatigue lurked at every pedal stroke – but I managed to hold it together, crest the final pinch, and roll solo into Branxholm with enough of a gap to savour the moment.
Crossing the Line
Crossing that finish line as the new Australian Elite Men’s Gravel National Champion is something I’ll never forget. To pull on the green and gold jersey – such an iconic symbol of cycling in Australia – is a dream come true. Knowing I’ll get to wear it for the next year on gravel roads across the country (and hopefully abroad) is both humbling and motivating.
A Race for the Ages
What made this event so special wasn’t just the personal result, but the atmosphere. Over 400 riders took on the Devil’s Cardigan, from pros to first-timers, all battling the same mud, climbs, and cold. Gravel racing has this raw, communal spirit that makes every rider part of the story, no matter where they finish.
To stand on the podium alongside incredible athletes like Alex Lack and Scott Bowden, and to share the day with women’s champion Justine Barrow, who also rode solo to victory, just added to the significance of the event.
Looking Ahead
This jersey means a lot. It’s a reminder of the work, the setbacks, and the grit it takes to make it through races like this. More than anything, it’s motivation to line up again and again, representing Australian gravel racing at the highest level.
For now, I’ll enjoy the feeling of mud still caked on my shoes, the ache in my legs, and the pride of knowing that, on one epic day in Tasmania, I managed to ride into the history books.
Would you like me to make this blog post more personal and emotional, focusing on what it felt like to win and wear the green and gold, or keep it more professional and race-report style for cycling fans?
