Lucinda Stewart’s career-defining performance at the 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships, where she claimed dual honours, has earned her the title of Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month for January.

The 20-year-old, who races for Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team, finished atop the podium in the Elite Women’s Road Race, while also securing the Under-23 Women’s National Road Race title – the first person since Sarah Gigante in 2019 to claim both titles. 

Cementing her place as one of Australia’s most promising talents, Stewart joined a decisive five-rider breakaway early in the 109km race through Kings Park and the Perth CBD. Battling to hold off a hard-charging peloton, she showcased both tactical prowess and sheer determination to cross the finish line first.  

“As I crossed the finish line, there were so many emotions – joy, relief, but above all, pride,” Stewart said. “I was so happy I could pull off the win for my team after they put so much faith in me.” 

It was all the more impressive given her build-up to the event, which included overcoming broken and bruised ribs sustained in a local Victorian race just weeks prior.  

“It was definitely a tough period. I had to take a step back and let my body heal, but I knew I had to stay mentally strong and keep my focus on Nationals.” 

“As a cyclist, you have to be resilient and adapt. The injury threw a spanner in the works, but I refocused my goals and made sure I was ready.” 

With the national championship jersey now in her possession, Stewart is setting her sights on bigger goals in Europe, where she will represent her trade team on some of the sport’s biggest stages. 

“My goal this season is to build off what I’ve learned in past European campaigns and use the momentum from this national title to secure some podiums and be competitive in bigger races. I’m especially looking forward to testing myself in some of the higher level races and seeing what the racing is like against some of the best riders in the world.” 

Her long-term ambitions include competing in the world’s most prestigious races, such as the Classics, the Women’s Tour de France, and the World Championships. 

“Competing at the highest level of the sport is my ultimate dream. I’ve always looked up to riders like Marianne Vos and Annemiek van Vleuten. Their resilience and ability to dominate races have been a huge inspiration for me.” 

Off the bike, Stewart is also balancing her sporting career with academic pursuits, studying a part-time Bachelor of Environmental Science at Deakin University. 

“Studying alongside cycling helps me maintain a healthy balance, and it’s something I genuinely enjoy.” 

As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Stewart is quick to credit those who have supported her journey. 

“My parents have been my biggest supporters, and I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m also grateful to my team, Liv AlUla Jayco, and everyone at the Victorian Institute of Sport for their help, especially with my injury recovery.” 

The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee. 

The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future. 

Over the course of 2025, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses. 

Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.