The 33-year-old held firm in a race that seemed to evolve with every lap to finish just eight seconds off the winner, Cameron Meyer.

The result at Ballarat gifted the Horsham semi-professional his second top 10 finish in three years, having placed seventh in 2019.

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O'Brien formed part of a group that gunned down then leader, Luke Plapp, with 35 kilometres to go.

A new breakaway would form but was swallowed up by O'Brien and the chasing group with 15 kilometres to go.

The Inform TMX rider took the chance to attack on the climb up Mount Buninyong and was joined by two others to form a new lead group.

O'Brien remained in the breakaway until 5.5 kilometres to go, when Cameron Meyer and the pursuit group joined them.

O'Brien did outstandingly well to stay in the race as the cyclists rounded a corner out of Federation University.

Tim Roe lost his bike from under himself, forcing the narrowly-trailing O'Brien to evade the fallen cyclist and swing around the shoulder of the road.

O'Brien threatened to launch an attack, but Meyer and his fellow podium finishers drilled down the home straight to end the race.

Ararat's Lucas Hamilton largely rode in support of Team BikeExchange teammate Cameron Meyer - helping the 33-year-old to a successive national championship - and abandoned the race after his job was done.

Hamilton found success earlier in the championships, finishing fifth in the time trial and 31st in the criterium.

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