The St Kilda rider has no secret formula, just three to four months’ solid preparation, that netted him a sixth consecutive Cycling Australia Masters Road Championships time trail title in a return to Ballarat roads on Thursday.

“They do call the time trial the race of truth because it really is just about hard work – no short cuts, no team tactics,” Miller said.

“Cyclists, from the winner to last, put in months of hard work to get there. I was lucky too – no flat tyres and no incidents on the road.”

Miller carved up the 20.2-kilometre route near Burrumbeet in 23 minutes, 45.25 seconds in an all-championship fastest time to win the men’s masters division two category (riders aged 35-39).

Nearest rival in his division, Victorian Tom Leaper, was 43.6 seconds away.

Miller’s wife, Veronica Micich, who grew up in Ballarat, won the women’s masters division one title to complete the golden couple’s day.

Micich clocked a time of 28:20.92.

Miller said their familiarity with Ballarat roads was a bonus.

They love to train in the region and particularly enjoy the growing number of cyclist-friendly cafes about town for a post-ride refreshment.

Miller said it was a privilege to ride on closed roads near Burrumbeet, a factor that also helped encourage fast times on the flat course.

A consistent south-westerly breeze allowed most riders to go out hard and work with the strong wind behind them for the second half of the trial.

Riders move to Victoria Park on Friday for the fast-paced criteriums.

The road race titles will be contested on the national Buninyong course across the weekend.

 Miller aims to keep impressing and tune in to the more tactically driven side of his race.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Masters time trial results

WOMEN

MASTERS 1: Veronica Micich (VIC), 28 minutes, 20.92 seconds.

MASTERS 2: Catriona Newell (QLD), 27:19.79.

MASTERS 3: Bridie O’Donnell (VIC), 26:28.24.

MASTERS 4: Megan Marsh (VIC), 29:32.10.

MASTERS 5: Linda White (QLD), 28:45.19.

MASTERS 6: Philippa Read (SA), 29:57.02.

MASTERS 7: Marg Noonan (VIC), 32:13.87.

MASTERS 8+: Elizabeth Randall (VIC), 32:41.25.

MEN

MASTERS 1: Nicholas Squillari (VIC), 24 minutes, 05.81 seconds.

MASTERS 2: Shane Miller (VIC), 23:45.25.

MASTERS 3: Peter Milostic (NSW), 24:17.73.

MASTERS 4: Michael Newell (QLD), 25:40.77.

MASTERS 5: John Cain (VIC), 24:28.58.

MASTERS 6: James Timmer-Arends (VIC), 26:25.20.

MASTERS 7: Richard McCorkell (VIC), 26:29.18.

MASTERS 8: Ross Hodgson (NSW), 26:34.97.

MASTERS 9: Colin MacIver (NSW), 28:35.61.

MASTERS 10: William McConnell (VIC), 29:43.13.

AT A GLANCE

Australian Masters Road Cycling Championships

Where: Ballarat and Buninyong

FRIDAY

Criteriums from 9.30am-3.30pm around Victoria Park

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Road races, 8.30am-4pm both days at Buninyong

BALLARAT RIDERS ON FRIDAY

Robert Braszell, masters 8, 9.30am

Guy Falla, masters 7, 9.30am

Andrew Gibbs, masters 4, 11.32am

Damien Keirl, masters 2, 1.30pm

Tony Mirabella, masters 5, 11.30am