Wanganui cyclist Cath Cheatley justified her pre-race favouritism with some bold tactics that clinched her third RaboDirect New Zealand road race championship in Christchurch today.
The United States-based pro-race rider made her charge at the halfway stage of the eight-lap 123km event on the Cashmere/Hoon Hay course and won in a time of three hours 38 minutes 19 seconds.
National series champion Serena Sheridan (Team Mico Revolution – Hawkes Bay) pipped defending champion Rushlee Buchanan (Te Awamutu) in a sprint finish to claim second – 1min 13sec adrift of Cheatley.
A swirling easterly wind made conditions testing for the field, especially on the seven ascents of the gruelling Dyers Pass Rd, making Cheatley's solo ride even more impressive.
"Sometimes I ask myself why I do this, but if I'm finding it hard so is everyone else," Cheatley said afterwards.
The presence of her husband and father inspired the 27-year-old and with not a lot happening in the first part of the race she made a break early "and gritted my teeth and put it all out there".
Cheatley said she had felt terrible at first but with hill climbs her strength she had gradually got into the groove and began to feel more comfortable. She decided to make her break early because there wasn't a lot happening at the back of the peloton. She said she is excited to be taking the national jersey to the US this year and will wear it "with pride".
Sheridan, who was "stoked" with second place, said she and Buchanan had worked hard over several laps to rein in Cheatley.
"But Cath's a real powerhouse. She was incredible today – no-one can touch her at the moment."
Buchanan, 22, said it had been a tough race and she believed she had given her all to clinch third place.
"Cath's an awesome rider and it's cool to have been in the race with her. The hill is nasty and I had memories of last year when I was doing it – the windy conditions were much the same too."
Another fancied rider, Kaytee Boyd, 32, part of the strong Waikato Bay of Plenty contingent was fourth, 3min behind Cheatley while new national time trial champion Sonia Waddell was 12th.
Commonwealth Games silver medalist Jo Kiesanowski (Canterbury) withdrew from the event last night because she believed it would be too strenuous when she is joining the Kiwi track team in camp tomorrow to prepare for this month's Beijing leg of the World Cup series.
The championships conclude tomorrow with the men's race over the same course, with 12 laps over 187kms starting at 10am.
Results:
Catherine Cheatley (West Coast NI) 3:38:19, 1; Serena Sheridan (Hawkes Bay) at 01:13, 2; Rushlee Buchanan (Waikato Bo) at 01:14, 3; Kaytee Boyd (WBoP) at 3.00, 4; Emily Collins (Team Cyclo Sport) at 3:01, 5; Nicky Samuels (Southland) at 3:02, 6; Emma Crum (TCS) same time, 7; Paula McCoy (Auckland) at 3:05, 8; Courteney Lowe (WBoP) at 4:57, 9; Jeannie Kuhajek (Tasman) at 4.58, 10.
