BENDIGO-RAISED cyclist Imogen Jelbart says the four-leg Christmas carnival series across Victoria will play a key part in her build-up to next month's national track championships.
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Now based in Wollongong, Jelbart will be in Horsham for Saturday's racing.
Sunday's action will be where her cycling career began, Bendigo's Tom Flood Sports Centre.
Other legs will be on Monday at Shepparton and Tuesday at Wangaratta.
Racing the country carnivals at Christmas-New Year is something 20-year-old Jelbart has done since she was nine.
"It's always a great series of racing. It's important to support the country clubs,": she said after a Christmas Eve training session at Bendigo's track.
"You see a lot of familiar faces, riders, officials and spectators year after year."
Key players this year have been Brad McGee and Ben Kersten.
"They have been coaching me the past eight months. Brad helps a lot on endurance, and Ben on sprints."
She will race the teams pursuit at the nationals in Melbourne in late January, and possibly the points score and scratch race.
In 2014, Jelbart won the Sydney Cup on Wheels off scratch and gold in the NSW elite women's omnium championship. She teamed with Ashlee Ankudinoff to be third in the 100-lap Australian women's madison championship.
Away from the track, Jelbart is a beauty therapist.
She has great support from parents Tony and Sam, and older sister Marquessa. Imogen's partner, Scott Law is also starring on the cycling track.
Sunday's carnival starts with the juniors at 2pm and seniors at 6pm.