Cycling star Australia's best

UNSW Built Environment student and elite cyclist Lauren Kitchen is a national champion after powerful performances at the recent Australian Open Road Championships.

Lauren, 20, took gold in the Under-23 Women's National Criterium and the Under-23 Time Trial at the Championships, held in Ballarat, Victoria.

Port Macquarie-born Lauren is in her second year of part-time study for a Bachelor of Planning, a course she chose for its relevance in the future as our cities develop but also because "it's very different to the sporting side of things that I'm around 24/7".

The talented cyclist said UNSW's elite athletes program made it easier for her to balance the demands of training and study.

"UNSW has an excellent support structure for elite athletes and I find once I get into a routine of studying regularly while training and competing overseas I can easily balance the two," she said.

Lauren spoke to the Faculty of Built Environment after her win.

UNSW Media Office: Peter Trute | 02 9385 1933 | p.trute@unsw.edu.au