"I’ve seriously got no words" - Luke Plapp in shock following second national championships win

Luke Plapp is no unknown, and within the Australian field he has more than cemented his place as a top figure as he rode to a second consecutive national championship today in Buninyong.

“I can’t believe that. I’ve seriously got no words, that was so much different to last year;" Plapp said in a press release. "I’ve been wrapping my brain around that for the whole year trying to work out how to win. I’m lost for words to be honest with you." Plapp was defending his title but had stiff competition as always in the nationals, with Team Jayco AlUla in number and several big hitters such as Ben O'Connor, Caleb Ewan and Simon Clarke.

In the final ascent Plapp stimulated the move that split the favourites' group and together with Clarke and Michael Matthews, bridged across to two members of an early escapee group. The five riders kept attacking and counter-attacking each other, being able to hold the gap against the small group trying to come across behind.

“There wasn’t really anyone missing here today and it’s so awesome to have a race like this. I almost wish that I was just watching from the sidelines as it was such an amazing field," Plapp said. "I didn’t know how to play it today I really just tried to bide my time. I don’t know what happened on that last lap but I can’t believe I pulled it off."

In a sprint he would have no chance, so he attempted several times in the final kilometers to create a decisive attack, but every time was marked. Until 1.7 kilometers to go where he immediately created a gap, and was never to be brough back, being able to use his time-trialing skills to the best possible use.

"I felt good all race. There was that big move at the start that me, Beno (Ben O'Connor, ed.) and Clarkey (Simon Clarke, ed.) missed that was really dangerous. We all looked at each other and said we need to go all in and did a really hard climb to bring that back," he detailed. "That kept us in the race. After that the heat sort of dwindled down everyone. It was a really weird race it was quite negative, it wasn’t that quick considering the field that we had."

Having just recently turned 22 years of age, Plapp already accumulates several national titles in his palmarès with the addition of today's win. "But on that last lap I still don’t know what happened – I can’t believe it! I can’t wait to go over there. Keep this jersey, keep this bike and start the Tour Down Under.”