Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) cyclists are off to a flying start in 2011 with Lauren Kitchen, Shara Gillow and Luke Durbridge each winning titles at the Cycling Australia Road National Championships, which were held in Ballarat, Victoria, from 6 to 11 January.

20-year-old Kitchen had a win on the first day of competition, claiming victory in both the under-23 and elite categories of the women’s 33-kilometre criterium event, recording a time of 50 minutes 47 seconds.

Two days later, she went on to finish third in the under-23 women’s road race.

On the final day of competition Kitchen won her third crown with the under-23 time trial title (39 minutes 32.16 seconds), seven seconds ahead of Tasmania’s Amy Cure.

Shara Gillow claimed the elite women’s time trial gold medal, recording a time of 38 minutes 17.69 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of Australian Sports Commission National Talent Identification and Development cyclist Taryn Heather in second place. Gillow’s Jayco–AIS team-mate Ruth Corset finished in third place.

‘I am pretty happy with my ride today. I haven't looked at any times yet, but I am just happy to be Australian champion,’ said Gillow.

In other big wins for AIS athletes, 19-year-old Luke Durbridge triumphed in the men’s under-23 time trial event in 33 minutes 23.01 seconds, more than 50 seconds ahead of Jayco–AIS team-mates Michael Hepburn and Jay McCarthy in second and third place respectively.