Australia’s Liam Walsh and Sophie Edwards claimed impressive victories in the elite road races at the 2023 Oceania Road Championships in Brisbane.

On the second lap a group of six riders went clear, though sensing the danger the peloton kept them within a minute, with the catch happening and allowing a group of eight to go up the road including time trial champion Tom Sexton (New Zealand). With the undulating roads not favourable to a break they were soon caught and the peloton approached the finish together.

Brady Gilmore (Australia) jumped clear and looked to be holding off the chased, only to be pipped on the line by Walsh as Sexton completed the podium. Walsh also claimed the under 23 title.

“This is such a tough course. All the rolling hills there is really not a lot of rest so I am do glad I could pull it together,” said Walsh.

The women’s race was carefully controlled over the three laps seeing a large group approach the finish together. In the sprint there was no stopping Edwards who blew away the field to take the title, adding to her team pursuit gold and omnium bronze from the track.

“It was a hard day out there so I am so glad to finish it off for the team,” said Edwards.

Fourth place finisher Keely Bennett (Australia) took the under 23 title ahead of Isabelle Carnes (Australia) and Sophie Marr (Australia).

 

 

The under 19 men’s race blew apart on the first lap with the eventual podium finishes quickly establishing a four minute gap. The peloton was able to reduce the gap to a minute and a half as they started the final lap with Will Heath (Australia) going clear and riding away to the title. His breakaway companions Levi Hone (Australia) and Josiah Grierson (Australia) completed the podium 30 seconds back.

Talia Appleton (Australia) destroyed the field in the under 19 women’s race to take gold more than two minutes clear of Australian national champion Felicity Wilson-Haffenden and Nicole Duncan (Australia).

For the second year para titles were awarded with gold going to Darren Hicks (Australia) C2 David Nicholas (Australia) C3, Declan Hart (Australia) T2, Alex Welsh (Australia) H3, Jono Nelson (New Zealand) H4 and Steven Kemp (Australia) tandem in the men’s.

In the women’s para categories it was Kaitlyn Schurmann (Australia) C1, Paige Greco (Australia) C3, Meg Lemon (Australia) C4, Julie Hooper (Australia) C5, Lauren Parker (Australia) H3 and Candice Kennedy (Australia) tandem.

2023 Oceania Road Race Medallists
Elite Men Road Race
Gold: Liam Walsh (AUS)
Silver: Brady Gilmore (AUS)
Bronze: Tom Sexton (NZL)

Elite Women Road Race
Gold: Sophie Edwards (AUS)
Silver: Matilda Raynolds (AUS)
Bronze: Ruth Corset (AUS)

Under 23 Men Road Race
Gold: Liam Walsh (AUS)
Silver: Brady Gilmore (AUS)
Bronze: Declan Trszise (AUS)

Under 23 Women Road Race
Gold: Keely Bennett (AUS)
Silver: Isabelle Carnes (AUS)
Bronze: Sophie Marr (AUS)

Under 19 Men Road Race
Gold: Will Heath (AUS)
Silver: Levi Hone (AUS)
Bronze: Josiah Grierson (AUS)

Under 19 Women Road Race
Gold: Talia Appleton (AUS)
Silver: Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (AUS)
Bronze: Nicole Duncan (AUS)

Para Road Races
Men C2: Darren Hicks (AUS)
Men C3: David Nicholas (AUS)
Men T2: Declan Hart (AUS)
Men H3: Alex Welsh (AUS)
Men H4: Jono Nelson (NZL)
Men Tandem: Steven Kemp (AUS)
Women C1: Kaitlyn Schurmann (AUS)
Women C3: Paige Greco (AUS)
Women C4: Meg Lemom (AUS)
Women C5: Julie Hooper (AUS)
Women H3: Lauren Parker (AUS)
Women Tandem: Candice Kennedy (AUS)

Results

The 2023 Oceania Championships are supported by AusCycling, Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Economic Development Agency.