Cheatley Leads BikeNZ Team to China

Olympian Cath Cheatley will lead a six-strong New Zealand women’s road team to compete in China next month.

The team has received a late invitation to compete in the Tour of Chongming Island and the UCI World Cup from 5 to 9 May on the island near Shanghai.

BikeNZ’s Road Director Sportif, Andy Reid said they had selected a mix of experience and youth for the tour with Cheatley joined by current national time trial champion Melissa Holt, Te Awamutu’s Emma Petersen, experienced Aucklander Toni Bradshaw (Counties Manukau), talented Tauranga prospect Courtney Lowe and Wellington’s Rachel Mercer, a former leading junior who raced professionally in Europe last year.

‘It was actually a very tough team to pick and there were a couple of riders unlucky not to make the team’ said Reid. “We wanted to pick some experienced team riders as well as some of the up and coming talent from around the country.
“Chongming is flat Island so the team also reflects that with the majority of riders selected being very strong flatland riders.”

Reid said while the racing is likely to be dominated by sprint finishes, the team will be in a position to force breakaways as well as having firepower in the closing stages.

Linda Villumsen, Jo Kiesanowski and Kaytee Boyd were unavailable as they have joined their professional teams.

The team is: Cath Cheatley (Wanganui), Melissa Holt (Cambridge), Emma Petersen (Te Awamutu), Toni Bradshaw (Auckland), Courtney Lowe (Tauranga), Rachel Mercer (Wellington).