Mercer Brings More Success For New Zealand Cyclists

There’s been further success for New Zealand cyclists overseas with young Wellington rider Rachel Mercer winning her first professional race in Europe.

Mercer, 20, won the popular Nacht van Hengelo criterium in eastern Netherlands at the weekend in her debut ride for UK-based Team Hitec Products.

This follows podium finishes for Olympians Jo Kiesanowski and Greg Henderson in the Philadelphia, USA.

Mercer, sixth in the junior world championship road race and fourth in the time trial in 2007, out-sprinted two riders in the sprint to claim the 60km criterium that is run under lights around a course in the city of Hengelo.

She was in the break of eight riders and did most of the work to maintain the gap on the peloton with the group reduced to three riders in the final lap.

The New Zealander edged the Dutch rider Linda Ringlever and British Olympic Academy cyclist Katie Colclough for the victory.

Mercer has been brought into the Hitec team as a guest rider after some solid performances including 13th overall in the Tour of Chongming Island in China recently for her Team Cyclosport combination.

Results, Nacht van Hengelo, 60km:
Rachel Mercer (NZL, Team Hitec Products UCK) 1, Linda Ringlever (NED, RTC) same time, 2; Katie Colclough (British National Team), same time, 3.