Cooper withstood a tricky climb up Black Mountain on Saturday and a nasty fall in relentless rain at Mount Stromlo on Sunday to secure the leader's yellow jersey.

"In most of these races if you do well in the time trial you just have to ride smart and hold on," he said. "So that was my game plan over the three days.

"We've got a super strong team [Avanti IsoWhey Sport] so hats off to them, they do the bulk of the work after I put in a little time trial.

"Yesterday climbing up Black Mountain I stayed with the climbers and got fifth so that's pretty good for me because I'm a bit bigger than most of the climbers."

Cooper is now the points leader of the National Road Series with just the Tour of Tasmania and Warrnambool Cycling Classic to go, but he will need to reassess an elbow sustained in the criterium on Sunday.

"To lead the NRS wasn't my goal coming in to this year but as it's played out I'm in it so we'll see how it goes."

Rebecca Wiasak took out the sprint classification and her High5 Dream Team teammate Lucy Kennedy held on to the yellow jersey following her win up Black Mountain.

NATIONAL CAPITAL TOUR

Men:
General Classification: Joseph Cooper – Avanti IsoWhey Sport
Young Rider Classification: Robert Stannard – Mobius Future Racing
Sprint Classification: Jesse Kerrison – State of Matter/MAAP
Hill Climb Classification: Harrison Bailey – GPM Stulz
Leading Team: Avanti IsoWhey Sport

Women:
General Classification: Lucy Kennedy – High5 Dream Team
Young Rider Classification: Jessica Pratt
Sprint Classification: Rebecca Wiasak – High5 Dream Team
Hill Climb Classification: Tie between Lucy Bechtel – Specialized Women's Racing and Listen Hocking – Holden Cycling
Leading Team: High5 Dream Team