The Ballarat event could hardly have gone worse for the Building Champions Squad member, who finished last of the 32 riders to complete the Lake Wendouree course.

A miscommunication almost caused her to miss the start and after arriving with only 20 seconds left she failed to click into her pedals properly.

McNamara then had a mechanical problem on the course which cost her five minutes and put an end to any hopes of a decent result.

But she’s looking to the positives ahead of Friday’s time trial at Emu Creek, which kicks off the Bendigo Grand Prix and Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships.

“I’m hoping I’ve got all my bad luck out the way,” McNamara said ahead of the Hume & Iser Home Hardware-sponsored event.

If anything, McNamara should have an advantage in the 24.6km women’s time trial.

The circuit starts and finishes at Emu Creek Recreation Reserve and travels along Emu Creek Road and Axe Creek Road before the turn at Eppalock. 

“I turned 30 this year, so I’ve been racing with the Vets and they have a road race on a similar circuit every Wednesday night,” she said.

“It’s not a super-technical time trial, but it’s a good time trial circuit. There’s some talented girls racing, so it will be great to experience as well.”

The North Central Catchment Management Authority women’s time trial begins at 10am and is followed by the men’s 30km event from midday.

The inaugural Bendigo Grand Prix includes the men’s and women’s road races at Spring Gully on Saturday, and criteriums in the CBD on Sunday. 

Points will be awarded to the top-10 in each event to determine the grand prix winners.

While her team-mates Kate Finegan and Jo Wall will feature in the road race, McNamara will only cycle in the time trial due to a clash with the Santos Women’s Cup in South Australia.

The BCS team will race round two in the Cykel Women’s GP, being led by Bendigo’s Emma Jackson,  on February 3 in Bendigo.