Rider's Guide to AusCycling Junior Road and Track Racing Under 9-Under 19 2026

Maximum roll-out distances for junior categories, male and female, in the 2026 road regulations:

The 2026 track regulations list 5.5 metres for Under 13, Under 11 and Under 9, and 7.0 metres for Under 17 and Under 15.

AusCycling's announcement of the 2026 regulations says the maximum roll-out for Under 15 and Under 17 riders increased from 6.1 metres to 7 metres, that 7 metres is the maximum permitted and does not need to be adopted immediately, and that riders can introduce the change gradually. The published 2026 PDFs also still show the older 6.10 metre figure for Under 15 alongside 7.0.

To meet a roll-out limit, blocking off may be permitted by adjusting the derailleur or other means.

The 2026 road regulations apply these to U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 riders:

• Handlebars: standard or "classic" drop handlebars.
• Extensions: bolt-on handlebar extensions are allowed for U15 and U17 in the individual time trial and team time trial only. Gear and brake mechanisms must not be placed on the extensions.
• Brake hoods: must be parallel to the flare of the drop handlebars.
• Wheels: at least 16 spokes, and the rim no more than 45 mm deep.
• Tyres: only high-pressure detachable tyres, including tubeless, which must be beaded.

The 2026 track regulations apply these to U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 riders:

• Handlebars: standard or "classic" drop handlebars, with a minimum width of 350 mm in U15 and U17. Bolt-on extensions are allowed for U15 and U17 in the individual pursuit, team pursuit and 500 m time trial only.
• Hands in the drops: in track events using classic drop handlebars, riders must compete with their hands in the drops. The only exceptions are during changes between partners in a Madison and for riders on relief in a Madison.
• Wheels: at least 16 spokes. Maximum wheel depth is 93 mm on an indoor velodrome.
• Tyres: only high-pressure detachable tyres, including tubeless, may be used. Tubular tyres must be securely affixed to the rim, and a rider who breaks this rule and causes a fall may be suspended, fined, relegated or a combination of all three.

At Junior National, State and Territory Road Championships and Junior Tours, the 2026 road regulations require:

• From 2026: Under 15 riders must use the same bike in all events.
• From 2028: Under 15 and Under 17 riders must use the same bike in all events.

AusCycling's announcement of the 2026 technical regulations gives the reason as making road cycling more accessible while not affecting rider development.

On the road, riders in Under 15, Under 13, Under 11 and Under 9 may be permitted to ride in events in older age categories, provided the distances ridden are not greater than those listed for the rider's own age category and the gear restrictions for their own age division apply.

On the track, if a junior rider has been granted approval to compete in a higher age division event, the maximum roll-out distance for the rider's own age division must be maintained.

Two other 2026 rules:

• Second-year Under 17 riders are permitted to compete in Junior 19 road race events from 1 October.
• Where Under 17 riders compete in graded racing, they may race up to their maximum road race distance only.

Table 1 of the 2026 road regulations sets these maximum race distances, the same for men and women:

An event that wants to go over the maximum for a category must apply to AusCycling to offer the longer distance. In non-championship criteriums, the road race distance is treated as the maximum.

• Helmet: all riders must wear a correctly fitted helmet meeting AS2063/NZ 2063 or an accepted equivalent (such as EN1078, ASTM F1447, US CPSC, Snell B or N series). It must carry the manufacturer's mark showing it complies, and a Commissaire may inspect it at any time.
• Brakes (road): the bike must have two efficient and independent hand brakes, and the handlebar ends must be plugged.
• Gears (road): free (single ratchet) or variable gears may be used. Fixed sprockets are forbidden, except in events nominated as Fixed Gear events.

Sources: 2026 AusCycling General Technical Regulations 1.03.07 to 1.03.08, and 2026 AusCycling Road Technical Regulations 1.02.04 to 1.02.06.

The 2026 general technical regulations say all participants in cycling events must hold the designated required current AusCycling membership, and must show proof of membership when asked. First-time applicants may be asked for proof of date of birth.

The AusCycling membership page (auscycling.org.au/membership) lists these options:

• Race membership: covers AusCycling State and National events, plus UCI events. Any member under 13 gets a full Race membership for $99 a year.
• Club membership: covers club and inter-club sanctioned events.
• Ride membership: no racing.
• 1-Day Event Licence ($44) and 7-Day Event Licence ($74): let you race at individual events without a Club or Race membership.
• 30-Day Free Trial: first-time members only, once per person. It gives access to club-level racing and cannot be used for state or national competitive events.

For State or Territory Championships, riders holding an AusCycling Race Membership or UCI licence may enter. Prices are those on the membership page and may change.

The 2026 road regulations set these conditions for the Australian Junior Road Championships:

• The categories are Junior 17 Men, Junior 17 Women, Junior 15 Men and Junior 15 Women.
• The events are the individual road time trial, individual road race and criterium.
• You must hold a current AusCycling membership.
• You must wear an approved state/territory team kit, club kit or plain kit.
• Every individual entry must have previously raced in a road race or criterium State or Territory Championship in the year of the Championship.
• You compete either as an individual representing an affiliated club, or as a State/Territory team representative. Each State or Territory selects a team of no more than four members for each individual event.

Team time trial championships are run separately, in categories that include U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 (U9, U11 and U13 only at State/Territory level, not National Championships).