Luke Plapp wins the Mens Elite ITT Australian National Championships
Written by Henry Yates | 6ft8photographer
Australian Champion Luke Plapp takes the Individual Time Trial Championships in Ballarat alongside his teammates of Jayco AlUla taking 1st-4th places.
Luke Plapp (1st) pictured with Chris Harper (2nd) and Michael Hepburn (3rd). Image by Henry Yates| 6ft8photographer
Camera: Sony A7R4 | G-MASTER 24-70mm | 1/1000sec, F - 2.8, ISO 200
The Men’s Time Trial National Championship saw Luke Plapp (1st) pictured with Chris Harper (2nd) and Michael Hepburn (3rd) from the Jayco AlUla team lead with a clean sweep of the podium including Kellend O’Brien coming forth.
The Jayco AlUla team was in excellent form this year and Plapp was eager to make up for his disappointing 2023 result after suffering a mechanical. Unfortunately, yet again Plapp experienced another mechanical requiring a bike change in the first two kilometers of the race.
Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) in action in a time trial. Image by Henry Yates| 6ft8photographer
Camera: Sony A7R4 | G-MASTER 400mm | 1/2000sec, F - 5.6, ISO 400
The race continued and so did the support from Assistance Sports Director Mathew Hayman, who was able to keep Plapp calm through this mishap. The encouragement and support saw Plapp finish 33 seconds ahead of his teammate Chris Harper in second place.
Twenety two seconds behind Chris Harper saw Jayco AlUla verteran and 2014 National Champion Michael Hepburn close out the podium.
Luke Plapp being interviewed after winning the 2024 Mens Elite ITT National Championships. Image by Henry Yates| 6ft8photographer
Camera: Sony A7R4 | G-MASTER 24-70mm | 1/750sec, F - 2.8, ISO 100
Tip: Decide what you are shooting and why it takes your interest.I like how the moment was all the reports circling Plapp engaged in questions and laughter as real authentic moment.
In the press release, Plapp goes on to explain that he estimated that this year’s mechanical cost him about 30 seconds, as it did in 2023 when he came forth behind Jay Vine.
“Exact same spot as last year on the very top of the climb of the first lap, I just went to change from the little ring back to the big and the chain just didn’t come up,” Plapp said (Source:AusCycling)
Unlike 2023 when Plapp felt he ‘overexcited’ this year, whilst ‘[he] did get a little bit overwhelmed, but (Mathew) Hayman on the radio was really cool, calm and collected, and I just trusted the training(Source:AusCycling).
Mathew Hayman (Assistant Sports Director Jayco AlUla) pictured smiling with Luke Plapp after he wins the 2024 Men’s Elite Time Trial National Championship. Image by Henry Yates| 6ft8photographer
Camera: Sony A7R4 | 85mm 1.4 | 1/1000sec, F - 2.8, ISO 100
Tip: Be mindful of the athlete and the moment.
Whilst Plapp again experienced a mechanical in the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, he was still able to take the win ahead of the Men’s Road Race later in the week.
Results: Elite Men Individual Time Trial
Lucas PLAPP (Team Jayco AlUla) 46:19.54
Chris HARPER (Team Jayco AlUla) +32.71
Michael HEPBURN (Team Jayco AlUla) +55.01
Kelland O'BRIEN (Team Jayco AlUla) +1:07.30
Alastair CHRISTIE-JOHNSTON (CCACHE x Par Küp) +2:07.73
Conor LEAHY (Peel District CC) +2:09.23
Michael STORER (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) +2:10.15
Tali Lane Welsh (CCACHE x Par Küp) +2:19.60
Bentley NIQUET-OLDEN (CCACHE x Par Küp) +4:34.53
Hayden JARVIS (Criterion BEx Racing) +4:39.70