Australian Road Championships: Kelland O'Brien wins U23 men's criterium

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St Kilda Cycling Club's Kelland O'Brien went one better than in 2019 to win the 2020 under-23 men's criterium title at the Australian Road Championships in Ballarat on Friday afternoon, beating Conor Leahy (InForm TM Insight Make) and Matthew Rice (ARA-Pro Racing Sunshine Coast).

Terrible weather greeted the riders in all criterium categories at the championships, and although a crash on the first lap of the 30-lap U23 race in the wet and windy conditions was seemingly shaken off by all those involved, the weather later began to take its toll as riders were shelled out of the back, and left to watch the rest of the action in some warm, dry clothes, with only 20 riders out of 53 starters finishing the event.

Leahy was particularly active in the closing stages of the race, finding his way into multiple breakaways and helping force what was the decisive move of three. Although the InForm TM Insight Make rider was able to get the better of 2018 junior criterium bronze medallist Rice in the final sprint, there was nothing he could do to outpace delighted new U23 criterium champion O'Brien.

"This means a lot to me, this event is super special. Coming second last year after taking a lap was hard to take on the chin. Then I took second again in the time trial on Wednesday, I was so hungry for this today," O'Brien said.

"The weather was interesting, the rain made it hard but I was so happy to take the win. Making my move was hard, but when Jensen Plowright went halfway into the race I had a carrot and I looked behind me and had a bit of a gap and thought it was the perfect time, luckily it paid off. I still don't really believe it. It is a national title. It is super special."