A new course in Perth couldn’t stop Luke Plapp from powering to his third Australian time trial championship title, while Amber Pate secured a super second place in the elite women’s race.
Plapp made it back-to-back wins against the clock as the defending champion set the fastest time through each of the intermediate splits over the 38km course. Despite the time gap to his nearest rival Jay Vine shrinking as the finish line approached, the 2024 champion had more than enough in the tank to bring home the title.
The 24-year-old was joined on the podium by his Team Jayco AlUla teammate Kell O’Brien who took a strong third place finish, while Chris Harper and Michael Hepburn made it four GreenEDGE riders in the top five places as the pair finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Over in the elite women’s event Pate put on a show, flying through the first intermediate time check at nine kilometres in first position, seven seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
As the kilometres ticked down and the finish approached, Brodie Chapman clawed her way back to better the Liv AlUla Jayco rider’s time and claim the national title, with Pate settling for a very respectable second place finish over the challenging 28km course.
Luke Plapp – First Place 🥇
“I’m super happy with that. It’s my favourite event in the world to be honest, the national time trial championships. I love training over the summer here in Australia for this event and it’s super special to go back-to-back with the team.”
Amber Pate – Second Place 🥈
“Personally I am very happy with second place today. It has been a really nice block leading into the event. I haven’t been on the time trial bike, focussing on it for the past two or three years so to come in second against Brodie and not too far off her, I am really proud. Hopefully next year for the team I can finish one place higher.”
Elite Men’s Results:
- Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) 46:33:00
- Jay Vine 46:4178
- Kell O’Brien (Team Jayco AlUla) 47:27:95
Elite Women’s Results:
1. Brodie Chapman 39:53:51
2. Amber Pate (Liv AlUla Jayco) 40:26:22
