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Wagga cyclist Bronte Stewart is targeting more top five finishes in the junior women's criterium and road race after starting her Road Nationals campaign with a fifth in Wednesday's time trial.
Riding in the colours of her National Road Series team Sydney University Staminade for the first time, Stewart finished 1:51.19 behind winner Isabelle Carnes of Balmoral Cycling Club.
It was the 16-year-old's first race on the Ballarat circuit, and her opportunity could come next year given the four cyclists who finished ahead of her will no longer qualify for the junior women's division.
The Tolland Cycling Club member will compete in Friday's criterium, but a strong result in Saturday's road race is top of her agenda.
"I was aiming for a top five, so I was really happy and content with myself (in the time trial). I was one of the smallest there for sure, it was a hard day out," she said.
"I was aiming for a top five in all three events. The course was very challenging with a flat (section), a technical descent and some punchy hills that were very difficult.
"The last kilometre would have been the hardest, I just put everything into it and had nothing left at the end. I definitely learned from that for next year, the girls who podiumed raced it last year knew what they were in for.
"I feel like it was a course for the powerful riders."
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Stewart said she would use the criterium to get a gauge on who the main dangers are before Saturday's road race.
Her older brother, Myles, will also compete in Friday's elite men's criterium.
"I'm more focusing on the road race and the crit was an opportunity to get a feel for the bunch and see where everyone is at," Stewart said.
"The road race course has got everything with a really solid hill and some fast downhill descents.
"I'm confident in myself, I know how to race and I'll be OK."
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