He finished ahead of Malcolm Rudolph, also from Queensland, in a two-way finish at Buninyong today.

The Jayco Skins teammates broke away in the last lap of the 122.4km event.

They worked together to ensure they stayed away before Hepburn grabbed the final ascendancy.

Michael Matthews from the ACT was the bronze medallist.

West Australian Ben King was rewarded for an attacking ride, which saw him away from the field for a large part of the race, with the Mars sprint championship and The Courier King of the Mountain title.

Ballarat rider Rhys Gillett played a prominent role well into event, contested in 30-degree plus conditions.

He was part of the main chase bunch and well placed to be part of the battle for a medal until the closing laps

It was only inside the last 30km that Gillett, who rides for the Fly V Australia, lost touch.

Gillett was one of only 30 of 106 starters to finish, filling 29th position.

Matthew Clark, of Beechworth, and riding for Ballarat's Cycle City team, joined King in a two-man breakaway early, but could not maintain the pace.

King led by as much as 40 seconds, but Hepburn said the chasers always felt comfortable with the gap.

Clive Silcock from Vasey in Western Victoria, who also rides for Cycle City, was also up with the leaders until late in the event.

TOP 10

Michael Hepburn (Qld) 3:20.07

Malcolm Rudolph (Qld) +3sec

Michael Matthews (ACT) +56s

Joseph Lewis (NSW) same time

Tim Roe (SA) +57s

Ben Dyball (NSW) st

Angus Morton (NSW) st

Luke Durbridge (WA) st

Geoff Straub +2:53

Rohan Dennis (SA) st

OTHERS

15 Lachlan Stewart (Cycle City, Ballarat) 4:43

29 Rhys Gillett (Ballarat) 13:40

RUTH CORSET, 32, made it a Queensland double by going one better than last year in the elite women's road race.

Fourth in the event two years ago and second 12 months, Corset closed down a threatening gap in the last two laps of the 102km race.