Bendigo’s Chris Hamilton (Avanti Racing) clinched an exciting victory in the under 23 criterium at the MARS Cycling Australia Road National Championships in Ballarat on Wednesday evening. 

The 19-year-old who straddles the line between mountain bike, cyclo-cross and road disciplines, claimed a gutsy solo victory after attacking his breakaway companion David Edwards (CharterMason) inside the final 200 metres.

“That was the most amazing feeling of my life, I’m in disbelief,” exclaimed Hamilton.

“I’m over the moon with what just happened. I’m still taking it all in.”

“I haven’t really done a lot of road racing in my time, but I sort of just put together everything Andrew [Christie-Johnson] has taught me and it all came together,” said Hamilton who claimed the under 19 Cyclo-cross national title in 2013 and currently sits in third place in the elite men’s Subaru National Mountain Bike Series.

Hamilton and Edwards (CharterMason) worked well together in stifling Ballarat heat and light rain for 13 laps, to hold off a charging peloton by a narrow seven seconds.

“With about three laps to go I saw there was only two of us out the front and I was feeling really good. We were working really well together,” said Hamilton.

In the end, Edwards had to settle for silver while BMC Development rider Jesse Kerrison won the bunch sprint for bronze.

The event continues with the elite women and men's criteriums.

“It feels really good to finish second, I’m a little bit disappointed not to win. I need to work on my sprint I guess. There's always a thing to work on," said Edwards.

“It’s really good to get this confidence boost.”