Buchanan shows the Americans her aggression

Apr 28th, 10.   Rushlee Buchanan took her first win in the NZ Criterium Champion jersey during USA's speedweek by jumping out the front of the pack - twice.

 Buchanan in her team branded NZ champion jersey  ©Veronika Lenzi

Speedweek is a week long series of criterium races across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina states.  

The first two races in Georgia were won by Buchanan's Colavita Baci teammate Theresa Cliff-Ryan, but today was all about the Kiwi.

"I was kind of aggressive," Buchanan joked to RoadCycling.co.nz after her win.  

"You know my favourite type of racing is hard and long, and I that I choose to attack and go solo," said Buchanan who won her three NZ Champion titles - road, criterium and scratch - from racing out in front of the rest of the field.

With two wins to the team already, the plan for today was to race on the offensive, rather than the defensive - just what Buchanan likes.

"About half way through the race I saw an opportunity and attacked. I got away for about 10 laps, and was reeled back in by a group of seven (with two from Colavita/Baci) and I was prepared for the counter attacks. There were a few, which we all covered."

"Then after a prime lap sprint I attacked again, this time with about 16 laps to go."

The field could do nothing to bring the Kiwi champion, and track team pursuit world record holder, back. With seven laps to go Buchanan had the gap out to 40sec and it kept on increasing.  In fact, the rest of the peloton had just been given the one lap to go bell when Buchanan crossed the finish line!

"I don't know how often I will be able to pull this move, but today it felt good wearing and representing the NZ Criterium Champion jersey and taking a win for Colavita/Baci.

With three wins from three races and five more to go in the coming days, Buchanan is happy she joined this team for the 2010 season.

"I'm confident we are the stongest team here and we are looking forward to having some fun the rest of the week and racing hard.  The team is awesome and we all get along great and know exactly what is going on in the racing [race radios aren't allowed]."

"It's still very early season for me, so I'm looking forward to a great year with Colavita/Baci."