Kiesanowski Improves World Ranking in Beijing Cycling

Christchurch cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski moved into the top-10 on the world cup omnium standings as she continues to press her Olympic claims at the UCI World Cup in Beijing.

The US-based professional finished in a share of fourth place in Beijing after the final three events in the six-discipline omnium that makes its Olympic debut in London.

The 32 year old moves up to eighth on the World Cup standings to further enhance Olympic qualifying points.

She was 10th in the individual pursuit in 3:45.500, won by Ukraine’s Svitiana Galyuk in 3:41.612. Kiesanowski followed this with a strong third place in the scratch race and eighth in the 500m time trial in 36.964.

She finished on 40 points along with Australian Alison King in the event won by the world cup leader Evgenia Romanyuta (Russian).

The kiwi sprinters did not advance to the medal phase amid touch competition on the final day. Southland’s Matt Archibald was 24th in qualifying in the men’s sprint in 10.44.

Women’s sprinters Natasha Hansen and Katie Schofield were second and fourth respectively in the first round of the keirin with Hansen narrowly beaten in the repechage, with only the winner advancing to the second round.

Myron Simpson (Auckland) and Westley Gough (Hawke’s Bay) were 12th in the Madison won by the Czech Republic combination.

There is one World Cup remaining that doubles as the Olympic test event at the London Velodrome next month.