Australian riders finished with three Oceania titles after the cross-country Olympic championships were held in Brisbane as part of the Brisbane Festival of Cycling.
Rebecca Henderson claimed her seventh title, while Jack Ward and Connor Wright added to the home-town haul.
Elite
After having last held the title in 2023, Henderson was determined to make sure she pulled on the jersey in 2026.
The Australian champion upped the pace early and built a gap on the opening lap and established a 51 second lead on Sarah Tucknott as they started lap two.
Rebecca Henderson was hunting her first Oceania title in three years.
Illness for Tucknott saw her drop back with the challenge then coming from New Zealand’s Amelie Mackay and two-time winner Samara Sheppard.
While Henderson rode away in front to win by nearly three minutes, the chasing Kiwis were closely matched before MacKay broke away around the halfway for silver with Sheppard the bronze.
New Zealand's Anton Cooper would take away the gold in the men's race in convincing fashion.
He was over three minutes clear of second placed Brent Rees and Aiden Lefmann who rounded out the podium.
U23
The hotly contested under 23 men’s race did not disappoint with nothing separating Ward and Harry Doye over the first five laps.
Ward who has won all four rounds of the Continental Series in 2026 was able to break clear on the final lap to win in 1:12.05.
Doye was forced to settle for silver for the second year in a row, 24 seconds back while the bronze went to Eddie Adams (New Zealand).
Jack Ward continued his winning streak in 2026 with the Oceania title.
Milla Phipps produced a stellar ride in the women’s race from the start to claim a maiden Oceania title.
The New Zealander built a near 10 second lead on the start loop before extending her advantage over the five-lap race to claim the title in 1:10:32, over a minute clear.
Silver went to Ella Menigoz for the second year in a row after she overhauled Continental Series leader Ruby Taylor in the closing laps, who held on for third.
U19
Connor Wright successfully defended his under 19 men’s title and looked in control from the start.
The skies would open during the U19 men's race making it a slippery affair.
The 18-year-old opened up a two second advantage on the opening loop, before quickly asserting himself on the first lap.
With a 49 second lead after the opening lap, he settled into his rhythm before extending the advantage to just under two minutes.
A late charge by James Climo (New Zealand) reduced the advantage but was unable to overcome the sizeable lead as Wright won by a minute with Oliver Grande in third.
It was also back-to-back titles for New Zealand's Kaylee McMillian in the women’s race.
The final two spots on the podium with separated by just two seconds with silver going to Freya Buckmaster and bronze Alana Fletcher.
Results
Elite Men
🏅: Anton Cooper (New Zealand) 1:25:33
🥈: Brent Rees (Australia) 1:28:42
🥉 : Aiden Lefmann (Australia) 1:30:25
Elite Women
🏅: Rebecca Henderson (Australia) 1:26:06
🥈: Amelie Mackay (New Zealand) 1:28:53
🥉: Samara Sheppard (New Zealand) 1:29:20
Under 23 Men
🏅 Jack Ward (Australia) 1:12:05
🥈: Harry Doye (Australia) 1:12:29
🥉: Eddie Adams (New Zealand) 1:12:36
Under 23 Women
🏅: Milla Phipps (New Zealand) 1:10:32
🥈: Ella Menigoz (Australia) 1:11:40
🥉: Ruby Taylor (Australia) 1:13:31
Junior Men
🏅: Connor Wright (Australia) 1:15:27
🥈 James Climo (New Zealand) 1:16:27
🥉: Oliver Grande (Australia) 1:17:40
Junior Women
🏅: Kayley McMillan (New Zealand) 1:12:20
🥈: Freya Buckmaster (Australia) 1:14:26
🥉: Alana Fletcher (Australia) 1:14:28
Photo Credit: SportsMedia Queensland