Ruby Roseman-Gannon has been riding well since the start of the season, winning her first race for the third year in a row. In the elite/U23 women's road race at the Federation University Australia Road National Championships, the Liv Arulla-Jacor rider always seemed to be there. And even when it came down to an eleven-rider sprint contest, and despite her efforts at the front of the race, she still had enough left in the tank to take the title.

"I was in a flow state. I really wasn't thinking about anything," Roseman-Gannon told reporters after her victory. 'I know it's hard to get into that state, but when you get into that state, you just do. 'I didn't really know what I was thinking, but I kept telling myself it was a diamond in the leg. ...... I felt like there was a diamond in my leg. I'm not sure. It just felt that way today."

There was a lot of action to follow in the second half of the race. Being constantly part of the action like this might have seemed like a way to burn matches before the finale, but Roseman-Gannon suggested that this was not necessarily the case in this situation.

"Just trying to use the energy wisely, sometimes it takes less energy to get off the front than it does to try to follow Sara Gigante up the climb," said Roseman-Gannon, who won the race in 2019 and again this year with an aggressive run on Mount Bunyonyon. ag He said, referring to the Insurances Soudal athletes.

The two Brunswick Cycling Club riders were joined at the line by three-time winner Amanda Spratt (Ridle Trek). She held off Lauretta Hanson (Lidl-Trek), with teammate Alex Manley taking the final podium spot.

The 25-year-old brought the elite women's road race jersey to Liv Aroura-Jeiko for the first time in two years.

"Our DS asked us why we wanted this. Alex has been with the team for a really long time and said that when we have the jersey, when we take the jersey to Europe, he notices a difference in the team," Roseman-Gannon said.

"I've never been on a team with a jersey, so it's really, really special."

After winning the criterium title, the Melbourne native said that while her strong start in Australia gave her confidence, going to Europe "is a little fish in a big pond. So I'm still working hard to be a little bigger fish in that pond."

But with the Australian champion's jersey on his back and his sights set on Europe early in the season, Roseman-Gannon appears to be well on his way.

"I want to target the big blocks of the Classics, so I'm going to do a combination of the cobbled Classics and the Ardennes," Roseman-Gannon said. I think it suits my physiology and riding style, and two years in the peloton has given me the confidence to ride in a group. And now I have the Australian jersey as well."

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