Team pursuit world champion Miles Scotson (SASI) clinched his maiden national title on the road, claiming the under 23 time trial on day two of the Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships. 

 

Scotson put in a blistering time on the lumpy out-and-back course to be one of only four riders to post a sub 40 minute time, stopping the clock in 38 minutes and 36.60 seconds.

 

“There was a lot of emotion remembering every result where I’ve been close in the last couple of years,” said Scotson who earned bronze in 2014.

 

“When I heard I had the quickest time, it was such a sign of relief. You always know it’s not over until it’s over but I knew I had done a good one compared to the guys around me.”

 

A multiple track national champion, Scotson caught two riders on his 29.3 kilometre journey. 

 

“I had a really good preparation leading up to this, I had confidence and faith in my training and I really backed myself today.

 

“On the way out, I could see I was a long way up on [Harry] Carpenter and I had already caught [Jack] Haig and [Sean] O'Callaghan.

 

“I put myself in the red zone on the big climb and was basically hanging on from there with five kilometres to go,” said Scotson.

 

Scotson’s ride was just four seconds faster than eventual silver medallist Oscar Stevenson (African Wildlife Safaris), bumping the Tour of Bright winner off the hot seat with only four riders left.

 

“It’s tough to come that close to a win, but I’m happy with second at the national champs. It definitely hurts after 38 minutes of pain. I did everything I could and Miles (Scotson) deserved that,” said Stevenson who fractured his pelvis six months prior.

 

“I’ve really been training towards this but it’s been a long comeback. I raced the Tour of Bright a month or so ago and I took out the time trial and won the overall, so that was a good confidence boost.”

 

Harry Carpenter (SASI / 39:47.05) joined the pair on the podium, earning his second national medal in as many years.