Cheatley doubles up in Fitchburg

 

 

The 51st Fitchburg Longsjo Classic in Massachusetts is a four stage event with a circuit race, road race, time trial and criterium. In yesterday's circuit race Cheatley continued a history of Kiwi success at this US NRC event when she outsprinted her rivals for the victory.

 

Today, in the 6 lap, 103km road race, Colavita Baci teammates Cheatley and Buchanan broke free from the field with one other rider.

 

The two to one ratio gave the Kiwis a clear advantage and Cheatley took the opportunity to attack on the final climb and head towards the line by herself.

 

She finished 12sec ahead of the rival rider with Buchanan, the New Zealand Road Champion, taking 3rd place.

 

The rest of the peloton, including Kiwis Alison Shanks and Genevieve Whitson, came through one by one, all at least 1m44 behind Cheatley.

 

Cheatley remains the leader of the tour heading into tomorrow's time trial. Time trials aren't traditionally the Wanganui rider's strength but she's had some strong performances in the discipline this year.  Her overall lead in the General Classification is 33sec. 

 

This Fitchburg event is the second oldest pro/am cycling competition in the US. New Zealand's Sarah Ulmer won the event in 2006 and Cheatley won in 2008.

 

 

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