The championships, held on Saturday, October 28, marked the first event of the 2018 calendar for Rideaux.

Omnium is a term used for a cycling race with multiple events.

In it’s most modern form, the omnium includes a scratch race, an elimination race, a tempo race, and points race.

The scratch race follows the traditional set up of a race. Every cyclist starts at the same time, and the goal is to reach the finish line first.

The elimination race is similar to the scratch race, however, the last placed rider after a certain amount of laps will be eliminated from the race.

The tempo race and points race are very similar in that points are awarded after each lap, rather than for a finishing position.

Rideaux said his successful road season allowed him to have success on the track.

“I was in pretty good nick from the road season, so I had a bit of conditioning for this meet,” he said.

“It’s not actually a target event of mine, I was just doing it for fun.

“Unfortunately at one stage in the last race I was in the gold-medal position, but I lost it on the last sprint. That’s the nature of the sport.”

Rideaux, 58, has been been cycling competitively on the road for more than 10 years now. This is his third season competing on the track circuit.

He said that the Masters Men’s series was of a high quality.

“Competitive mature-age cycling is extremely competitive,” he said.

“You have ex-Olympians among the starters, and a lot of other very good riders.”

The amount of work that Rideaux puts in to his trade his immense.

“To be competitive at any stage in cycling, you have to be very focused and dedicated, and you have to put in a lot of time,” he said.

“You’re riding 200 to 250 kilometres every week, training five days a week, and you really have to look after your health."

Rideaux has been helped along by a strong cycling community in the Bega Valley.

“There’s a good bunch of guys I ride with in the Bega Valley, so having that social riding scene allows you to get through the training you have to do,” he said.

“They’re very supportive, and a couple of them compete as well.”

And as to how he juggles the time needed for training with his job as a lawyer, Rideaux believes the answer is simple.

“I’ve got a very sympathetic partner,” he said.