Dec 6th, 09.  Australian Laura Luxford took out the Elite Womens Criterium over Kiwi Olympian Cath Cheatley in a sprint finish at Day 2 of the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling.

Laura Luxford signs in before riding to victory ©RoadCycling.co.nz

While some women’s races start slow and build up speed throughout the race, today’s criterium was full pace from the start.  

A number of the riders, including NZ Criterium Champion Rushlee Buchanan and kiwi international Rachel Mercer, had fresh legs coming into today's racing having chosen not to compete in yesterday's Long Bays Classic.

Early on in the 35 minute criterium, the day's first attack came from Cyclosport's Tracy Best, only to be caught by the chasing bunch a couple of laps later.

The counter attack came from Mercer who enjoyed a few laps out front before the peloton drew her back in with the help of yesterday's Armstrong Festival of Cycling winner Cath Cheatley. 

NZ Criterium Champion Rushlee Buchanan leading the field (Cheatley to the left, Luxford right) ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Then it was the Criterium Champion's turn to put the heat on the field.

“If someone other than me was going to win this race, I was going to make sure they worked for it,” Buchanan told RoadCycling.co.nz after the race.

While the Christchurch weather forecast was for rain, and the race began in threatening showers, it soon dried up but not before a few riders were caught out by slippery roads and road markings on the northern most corner.

At the sharp left hander from Oxford Terrace into Gloucester Street, three riders hit the pavement and were left wondering what happened.

Despite continued attacks, the peloton stayed intact, entering the finishing straight together to contest the title in a final sprint to the line.

Australian Laura Luxford had too much power and and won the sprint over Cath Cheatley, yesterday's Long Bays Classic winner, to take the victory and prize money.  Cyclosport's Emily Collins was 3rd.  

23 year old Luxford has only been cycling for one year.  She was a former elite gymnast who moved to cycling after a stint in triathlons.

Cath Cheatley and Rushlee Buchanan discuss the race ©RoadCycling.co.nz

“I didn’t think I would have the sprint legs coming into the last corner.  I did have a good wheel and it worked out well in the end,” said Luxford.

“I congratulated all the other girls, who did a good job, it was pretty safe, no one really took a lot of risks which was good,” she said.

Buchanan and Cheatley, who both raced in the US this year and are in the same US team next year, told RoadCycling.co.nz they think this race is fantastic to get New Zealand women more experienced in criterium racing. 

"The more they race, the more experienced they get, and the safer it is for all of us," they said.

Other articles on the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling, Christchurch 5-6 December.

• Alex Ray out sprints world class field
• Aussie wins Festival of Cycling Criterium
• Favourites win Long Bays Classic
• Long Bays Classic Results
• Bici Vida ready for the Festival
• Festival fever for Subway Avanti's fastman
• Another team joins the revolution
• Rider list for Elite criterium
• Rider list for Elite Road Race
• Track stars sign for Festival of Cycling
• Team Carbon Zero gear up for debut
• Home advantage for Benchmark Homes Team
• Bauer keen on Festival of Cycling criterium
• Southland winner heads to Festival of Cycling