KALAMUNDA cyclist Mackenzie Coupland has officially become the second 20-year-old rookie to claim the Australian road cycling championship.
She secured the title during her debut race as a WorldTour rider at the AusCycling Road National Championships held at Kings Park last Sunday.
Representing the professional women’s team Liv AlUla Jayco, the Kalamunda cyclist completed the 109km course in just under three hours.
During the final lap of the eight-circuit race, she broke away from the main group and overtook fellow Liv AlUla Jayco cyclist Josie Talbot, who had led the early breakaway.
Ms Coupland admitted she was initially hesitant to leave her teammate behind before making the decisive move to forge ahead for the solo win.
“I was very hesitant when I caught Josie and she told me to go, but it wasn’t until I saw one of our staff on the side of the road about 500 metres after that they told me to go,” she said.
Maintaining her composure, the Kalamunda cyclist managed to fend off a determined chase from a group of three, Neve Bradbury from Canyon-SRAM, Katelyn Nicholson from Butterfields Ziptrack, and teammate Ruby Roseman-Gannon.
“The team definitely had a lot of pressure, (but we) had a lot of confidence in each other… that really helped my confidence,” Ms Coupland said.
She also drew strength from the local crowd, stating she felt a wave of support from friends, family, and community members along the route.
“I think I heard my name on almost every corner, so I definitely felt a lot of support out there,” she said.
By winning the elite women’s category, Ms Coupland also managed to win the U-23 category, marking a double win for the young athlete.
Ms Coupland will now wear the prestigious green-and-gold bands of the Australian champion for the remainder of the 2026 season, including the Tour Down Under, and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“Honestly, it’s the biggest privilege ever, there are no words to really describe it,” she said.
“It’s such as huge achievement and I’m proud to just bring it to Liv AlUla Jayco.”
