Triple Cycling Success for New Zealanders in USA

New Zealand cyclists enjoyed success in National Racing Calendar events in the USA at the weekend with victories to Lauren Ellis, Jo Kiesanowski and Patrick Bevin.

Ellis had support from her fellow Commonwealth Games track cycling squad to go clear to win the Iron Hill Criterium in Pennsylvania while Kiesanowski and Bevin triumphed in the Grand Rapids Classic in Michigan.

Ellis (Hinds) made a solo break with 11 laps to go in the 40km criterium with her teammates Kaytee Boyd, Jaime Nielsen and Gemma Dudley covering the breaks from the peloton as she opened a 23 second advantage with three laps remaining.

“They were awesome. Having amazing teammates is great,” Ellis told Velo News. ”I didn’t look back too much except on the downhill but I knew with about five laps left I was going to win.”

The kiwi quartet attacked to win the primes before Ellis found herself clear of the pack.
“They just called out the prime and I wanted to keep going because I had a gap. I looked back next time and I couldn’t see anyone, so I just decided to keep riding and keep on going.”

Boyd went on to finish fourth and Nielsen 16th in the bunch sprint.

Meanwhile Kiesanowski had good support from her Tibco teammates who attacked on the rough roads in Grand Rapids. They attacked early until Kiesanowski found herself away in a group of four riders including fellow kiwi Commonwealth Games road squad rider Cath Cheatley, the current leader in the National Road Championship rankings.

Cheatley was the only rider to go with Kiesanowski’s burst late in the race as the pair broke clear. Kiesanowski had the kick to win the sprint finish from Cheatley who retains her lead in the NRC points table, following her victory last weekend.

The 19-year-old Bevin enjoyed his brightest moment as a young professional with victory in the men’s race.

Like the women’s race, Bevin had the benefit of a strong team support from his fellow Bissell riders. Midway through the 90-minute race Bevin edged clear with another rider, with the rest of the Bissell riders containing the pack.

Bevin pushed hard and broke away, opening up a 30 second advantage. The chasers tried to reduce the margin to under 10 seconds going into the final lap but the Taupo teenager managed to hold on.

“I just put my head down and kept going,” Bevin said. “Those guys were coming and quick but I was just able to hold on.”

Results, Grand Rapids Classic, men: Patrick Bevin (NZL, Bissell), 1; Bernard Sulzberger (Fly V Australia), 2; Hilton Clarke (USA, United Healthcare-Maxxis), 3.
Women: Jo Kiesanowski (NZL Tibco), 1; Cath Cheatley (NZL Colavita-Baci), 2; Laura Van Gilder (USA Mellow Mushroom), 3.
Iron Hill Classic, Pennsylvania, women: Lauren Ellis (BikeNZ) 1; Erica Allar (Team Vera Bradley) 2; Sarah Caravella (Colavita Baci) 3. Other New Zealanders: Kaytee Boyd 4, Jaime Nielsen 16.