Brooker secures back-to-back wins at state criterium titles

Coming off some track events, the 17-year-old backed her sprint to get the job done down the stretch and outgunned Illawarra's Emily Strumfin and Dubbo's Haylee Fuller to defend the breakthrough state title she won at Sydney in October.

"I was hoping I'd come out with the win, it was pretty good to defend it," she said.

"It was a pretty hard race the whole way and it was a short and fast course. The attacks weren't going to get away that much, we brought them back pretty quick.

"Coming down to the last two laps I knew it was going to be a sprint, and coming from track I just hoped my sprinters legs were on."

She told Cycling NSW the result was a reward for patience and staying calm in the main group.

I had a think about going away, but I knew the girls were pretty strong and would bring me back pretty quick, so it was just a matter of backing my sprint," Brooker said.

"It's a pretty long sprint up to the finish and I knew the girls were all strong and they'd keep the pace on the whole way, so it was just a matter of waiting and being patient for the finish."

It continues a stellar 18 months for Brooker, who has been rewarded with her first National Road Series opportunity with KOM Knights Racing.

She was due to make her debut in the Tour of Brisbane a fortnight ago, but COVID implications forced it to be postponed until July 11.

"We've planned for a team camp next month, so it will be good to meet everyone for the first time," she said.

"Being one of the younger one, initially it will be mainly about development and having the older riders around to help me adjust to my first NRS year.

"Hopefully it's an opportunity to get some good results, and you never know where it will go."

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