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Australian National Road Championships 2010

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South Australian Amber Halliday won her first Elite Women’s Time Trial at the Mars Australian Open Road Championships held in Buninyong.

The former Olympic rower, with just over a year of cycling experience beat the former champion Bridie O'Donnell and Carly Light to the title. The new champion covered the 28km course in a time of 40:57.10, edging out O'Donnell by just 4 seconds. Third place Light finished the course in 41.59.8, achieving her first senior medal. 

West Australian Josephine Tomic won the Under 23 title in a time of 42.28.5 ahead of Tiffany Cromwell 9South Australian) and Alexandra Carle (ACT). 

Tomic arrived in Ballarat after racing the four day Jayco Bay Criterium Series.The multi time  junior World Champion and 2009 senior Omnium World Champion was the fastest at the half way point and continued her form to the line. 

Vicki Whitelaw, one of the pre-race favourites, looked strong on the climb but finished off the pace in a time of 42.24.

Alexis Rhodes (SA) was also one of the pre-race favourites. She punctured at the top of the climb and managed to get a change before puncturing again within a matter of seconds. Rhodes picked up her bike in sheer frustration and threw it to the ground.

Post Race Comments

Amber Halliday (South Australia) the former Olympic rower was very pleased to have claimed her first major cycling title."I wasn't sure when I crossed the line, I still didn't believe it when I got back to the tent and I had to keep on asking my team," said Halliday.

Halliday retired from rowing in 2008 after competing at two Olympic Games and winning three World Championships in the light weight double skull, Halliday finished just two seconds outside of a podium finish in her championships debut in 2009.Today, the thirty-year-old shaved over thirty seconds off that time to complete the 28km course in a time of 40 minutes 57.14seconds to take the green and gold jersey. "Towards the end of my rowing career, I always looked forward to my cross training ride on a Sunday morning, so I thought I would have a crack at cycling and see where it would get me. I feel like I have a lot more idea about what is going on this year and everything came together today," said the Adelaide sports journalist.

"I have always been one to not put big targets on myself and one of the reasons I took up cycling was to make the transition into normal life easier. I always concentrate on the process and just want to get to the height of my own ability, so after being on top of the world in rowing, (the goal) to get to the national level for cycling was not so unrealistic for me," added Halliday

Bridie O'Donnell (Victoria) the 2008 champion took the silver in a time of 41 minutes 01.29seconds, four seconds behind Halliday. "Amber had a great ride today, both of us had a fast day and we had great conditions," said O'Donnell. "I gave it my all and could not have done anymore, so I am happy with the silver medal," added O'Donnel

Carly Light (South Australia)  also secured her first medal at national level, taking the bronze in a time of 41 minutes 59seconds."I am so happy, I new I was going well, but I wasn't sure how well, so I am very pleased," said Light.

Josephine Tomic (West Australia) finished fifth overall in a time of the 42 minutes 28.54 seconds to claim the honours in the U23 women's category. Tomic repeated her form form 2009 and rode exceptionally to win gold and cement her position as the top of the new breed of young riders rising up the ranks in Australia.Tomic rode in her new professional Team Lotto Belisol kit to win the Gold medal again. “I am quite happy with my form. I have had niggling injury in my hip and I wasn't sure how I would go," said Tomic. Asked if her pursuit experienced helped her, Tomic added, "I think so although I didn't like the hills much."

Tiffany Cromwell (South Australia) was one of the pre-race favourites and had great form coming out of a very successful Bay Criteriums. "I was pushing as high a gear as possible round the back and tried everything to go as fast as possible," said Cromwell. 

Alexandra Carle (Canberra) really didn't know how she would go and was very pleased with her performance, "I am so happy, I wasn't sure how well I would go. I knew I had trained hard," said Carle.

One of the pre-race favourites, South Australia's Alexis Rhodes, punctured both tyres within minutes of starting and did not finish.