New Zealand cyclist Cath Cheatley has produced a superb performance to finish 10th in the UCI World Road Championships in Switzerland today.
Cheatley was in contention throughout, riding with the leaders throughout the 125km race over nine laps of a stern climbing test in Mandrisio to claim her best finish at the world championships.
Italy's Tatiana Guderzo lead an attack with four riders on the final climb on the last lap and cleared out to win by 19 seconds from Marianne Vos (NED), the Olympic gold medallist and former world road champion, and Italy’s Noemi Cantelle.
Cheatley, who rode brilliantly throughout, attempted a solo break from the rest of the chasers in her attempt to claim fifth place on her own. Her endeavours almost succeeded before she was caught by the pack just before the line and had to settle for 10th.
“Cath did a great ride. We knew that she had great form, especially on the climbs and she made a courageous and strong move on the final climb to try for a top five finish,” said Andy Read, BikeNZ team manager.
Cheatley has enjoyed a superb season with 12 top-10 finishes including four podiums and sixth place in the World Cup in Canada.
Team-mate Kaytee Boyd, who rides for the Italian-based Selle Italia Ghezzi pro team this season, also rode well to cover the breaks on the hilly course.
“Kaytee Boyd rode strongly to finish 33rd. Overall the team rode really well and we had two riders left at the sharp end of the race when the winning moves were made.”
Rookie Rachel Mercer, in her first year in the senior ranks, did not finish.
The Mendrisio circuit featured two climbs, Acqua Fresca and Novazzano, in a short 14km circuit with overnight rain making the streets wet and caused a number of crashes.
The race started to take shape in lap four, when a group of 12 including Cheatley went clear on the descent of the Acqua Fresca and opened a gap of 1min 30sec over the chasers by the top of the Novazzano.
More riders from behind joined the break on the next lap including pre-race favourite and Beijing silver medallist Emma Pooley (Great Britain).
Defending world champion Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) fell behind in the opening laps and withdrew on lap five.
The under-23 men’s race follows with the elite men on Monday NZ time.
Results: Women’s Road Race (125km)
| 1. | Tatiana Guderzo | ITA | 3:33.25 |
| 2. | Marianne Vos | NED | +0:19 |
| 3. | Noemi Cantelle | ITA | +0:19 |
| 4. | Kristin Armstrong | USA | +0:19 |
| Plus New Zealanders | |||
| 10 | Cath Cheatley | NZL | +1:07 |
| 33 | Kaytee Boyd | NZL | 10:11 |
| DNF | Rachel Mercer | NZL | |
