Luke Markov at the Victorian Time Trial Championships at Philip Island

Brunswick Cycling Club member Luke Markov has been consistently on the podium at the Auscycling Victorian Time Trial 2025 series..He has kindly penned his account of the Victorian Time Trial Championships held at Philip Island.

After the 35 min+ wait in line for scrutineering, this leaves a stunning 15 mins for warm up. I hit the rollers and start loosening the legs. I wrap that, pop the last of the aero gear on and head to the starting gantry.

It’s a 4.4km lap for 22km total with plenty of corners on the Phillip Island Grand Prix track. Funnily enough, despite the slightly annoying lead in - I feel tremendously relaxed. I have seen this course before (18 years ago!) behind the wheel and am confident in the space and lines. Before I know it, I’m up. Get the hold, double check I’m in a good gear, hit “start” on the computer 2s before release and then I’m off. I punch out hard to get up to speed as fast as possible and then settle into position.


Running anti-clockwise we come into an expansive sweeping bend to the right that flicks back across into a double apex left leading into the steady rise of elevation. A tightening right/left combo puts you into the “climb” - a slight rise with good lines and visibility here that simply saps the legs a bit and I shift to maintain cadence and monitor HR. Power is good and steady here, a bit above target but averages out on the descent side.


Last sequence of corners come very quickly and then its the straight again. I’ve picked up my minute-man pretty quickly and start reeling other riders in on the next couple of laps. My partner, fellow Brunswick racer Stephanie Young, cheers as I go past on the straight as she’s off shortly (started 20 mins later in Women’s non-aero). I’m feeling good, power is good and HR is gently climbing but within my target range.


Three laps in I pick up and pass fellow BCC member Andrew Gannon (unsure what lap he was on) and keep driving hard. Lap four and the legs are feeling the effort as I start the little climb again, and I pick a slightly easier gear this time to modulate HR and cadence to stay out of the red zone. Power on the descent and into the final lap. I still haven’t been passed by anyone at this stage and now believe I’m on a good day and can really push on this last lap. I noticed my avg power had dipped a bit out of my target range on the prior lap and with only 4km to go know I can push a bit more to recover the race avg.


I really enjoy this last lap and it’s the first time I get out of the saddle to push the rise and really pour the power on. Hitting the straight (slightly downhill) I push to 200%+ of the target power to bring it home fast! Crossing the line, sitting up and stopping the ride I keep left and head for the exit chute. Very happy with this ride, there wasn’t a watt to spare and finished ~1:30 behind a cycle coach on a far more modern rig and probably 20kg lighter than me. All in all, the Phillip Island course was picturesque, smooth, great lines, fast despite the corners. I’ll be back next year after taking Silver in Masters 3and might even consider the road race!

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