Cheatley, McCauley Dominate in Kaimai Road Race

Beijing Olympic cyclist Cath Cheatley and Auckland’s Toni Bradshaw warmed up for next month’s international race in China when they filled the top two placings in the Kaimai Cycles 1000 road race in the Waikato today.

Cheatley (Wanganui) out-sprinted Bradshaw (Counties Manukau) to take out the women’s race in Morrinsville, which doubles as the fourth round of the RaboPlus National Point Series.

National time trial champion Gordon McCauley out-kicked Subway Avanti teammate Eric Drower to claim the men’s title over 160kms to take the lead in the national series from another Subway Avanti rider, Matt Gorter, who was third, seven minutes behind the leading pair.

Cheatley and Bradshaw, part of the New Zealand team to contest the Tour of Chongming Island and the UCI World Cup in China next month, were a class above in the women’s race, contested as part of the men’s B grade.

The pair were well clear of the rest of the women today with Cheatley showing her considerable experience to control the sprint finish.

McCauley and Drower went clear in the men’s race, contested over six laps on an undulating course near Morrinsville, clearing out as the field broke up.

The five time national champion did enough to gain the major points, winning in 4hr 15min and move into the lead in the national series.

Gorter remains in close contention after leading home the remnants of the peloton, well down on the leaders.

The next round of the series is in the West Coast of the South Island next weekend, at the annual Around Brunner race.

The 12 round national series continues until the final round at the Rice Mountain Classic near Wellington in December.

Full results: www.bikenz.org.nz