With the men’s road race featuring the likes of world sprint sensation Mark Cavendish’s Tour de France leadout man Mark Renshaw and 12-time Tour de France stage winner Robbie McEwen, Barry bumped wheels with 78 female equivalents, with just 38 completing the race.

She initially aimed to “just make it to the start line” but instead beat home multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallists and several Australian and Oceania champions.

Barry, who was also the highest placed woman not sponsored by a professional European team, said the race was like a “war of attrition.”

“The race was 10 laps of a 10-kilometre course with a 100-odd-metre climb each time,” she said.

“I like hills but I don’t think I could have done one more lap. Ten was enough.

“I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect course.”

In a constant battle to keep clear of the wheels of those in front, Barry admitted she had a slice of luck, avoiding a big crash late in the race.

“I was just behind (the crash) on an uphill and I had time to un-clip and avoid it.

“I thought it would be a good effort to finish maybe five of the 10 laps but to complete it, it’s pretty huge.”

Albury’s Rhys Pollock, Emma Mackie and David Schilg as well as Mount Beauty’s Neil and Paul Van De Ploeg also contested the championships.