FELICITY Wardlaw became the first giant killer of the Cycling Australia Road National Championships in the elite women's time trial at Burrumbeet today.
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Wardlaw took her cycling career to a new level by claiming her first national road title - the elite women's 28km time trial.
The 36-year-old ended the three-year reign of Shara Gillow, who had to settle for second after an illness interrupted preparation.
Another veteran Bridie O'Donnell, who won the national time trial title in 2008, also upstaged some of the more fancied riders to finish third.
Wardlaw, who had a breakthrough third in the same event last year, said she had learnt a great deal about time trailing in the past 12 months.
"I've worked so hard, developing time trial power and technique," an emotional Wardlaw said.
Although unsure of what path she might take this year now that she had a national championship under her belt, Wardlaw said the Glasgow Comonwealth Games might be an option.
"It's a once In a lifetime chance," she said.
QUEENSLANDER Jenelle Crooks took out the under-23 women's time trial over 28km.
Emily Roper (Queensland) was second with Jessica Allen (WA) third.
Crooks, 19, from the Gold Coast has been cycling seriously for two years after moving over from triathlons.
