2017 UCI Oceania Tour Champion Lucas Hamilton (Australia) was presented with the champions trophy at the 2018 Jayco Herald Sun Tour Team Presentation, Wednesday January 31st, in Melbourne.

“I would like to congratulate Lucas on winning the 2017 UCI Oceania Tour and his fantastic season last year that included third in the Australian Championships Under 23 Road Race, 7th overall at the Herald Sun Tour and winning the Oceania Championships Road Race,” said Oceania Cycling Confederation President and UCI Management Committee Member Tracey Gaudry.

Beyond the Oceania Tour, he also finished 24th in the Santos Tour Down Under and 14th in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Following his success early in 2017 in Oceania, Lucas headed to Europe where he claimed seven early season podiums before winning a stage and finishing second overall at the Under 23 Giro d’Italia. He then claimed victory at the Tour Alsace on route to a top five finish at the Tour de l’Avenir.

“It is a sign of the talent and growth in Oceania and the Oceania Tour that Lucas has joined the Mitchelton Scott WorldTour team for 2018,” Gaudry added.

Lucas joins an impressive list of former winners that includes Sean Lake (Australia-2016), Taylor Gunman (New Zealand-2015), Robert Power (Australia-2014), Damien Howson (Australia-2013), Michael Matthews (Australia-2010) and Hayden Roulston (New Zealand-2008). A full list of former winners can be found here.

Australia took out the nation honours while Mitchelton Scott emerged on top of the team classification.

The 2018 UCI Oceania Tour continues this week with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, the third of four events. Hayden McCormick won the New Zealand Cycle Classic and Ethan Berends took out the new UCI event Gravel and Tar. The 2018 Oceania Tour concludes with the 2018 Oceania Road Championships in Tasmania, March 23-25.