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Simone Giuliani

Expectation was 'pretty chill' but reality 'got even better day by day' – New Australian champion Mackenzie Coupland close to podium at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Mackenzie Coupland of Australia and Team Liv AlUla Jayco celebrates at podium as best Australian Rider during the 10th Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race 2026, Women's Elite a 141.2km one day race from Geelong to Geelong / #UCIWWT / on January 31, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Con Chronis/Getty Images).

Most riders have the luxury of being a little anonymous in the neo-pro year, an unfamiliar face that blends into the crowd, but not Mackenzie Coupland. She clinched the sought-after jersey of an Australian national champion in one of her very first races of her very first season with the Women's WorldTour Liv-AlUla-Jayco squad.

Somehow, however, it's hard to imagine she would have blended in for long, regardless, not after the way she has started her season in Australia.

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