Kiesanowski earns her first NRC victory

Jul 11th, 10. Jo Kiesanowski beat the Americans on Independence Day last week and today she did it again when the Kiwi won the Grand Cycling Classic NRC event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Jo Kiesanowski ©Jonathan Devich /epicimages.us

At the end of today's 45min criterium, Kiesanowski outsprinted her breakaway companion for the victory, her first in the prestigious National Racing Calendar, or NRC, for 2010.

Kiesanowski (Tibco) wasn't the only Kiwi on the podium - her breakaway companion was fellow Kiwi Cath Cheatley (Colavita Baci). Cheatley is the current leader of the NRC Rankings after her great tour winning performance in last week's Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

Kiesanowski rides for top US team Team Tibco.  The team went into this event with a four rider squad and were hunting for the win.

Their pre-race expectations were for Jo K, as she's known, to be the leadout rider for their two top sprinters, Brooke Miller and recently re-crowned U23 US criterium national champion Samantha Schneider.

However, as so often happens in a criterium, plans changed as the race unfolded and new strategies were implemented.

Tibco were aggressive from the very start. They tried a few combinations early on, firstly with Kiesanowski out in front for a few laps with one other rider, and then teammate Meredith Miller was out in front with Cheatley for a few more laps.

"Then with a few laps to go, Brooke, Cath, Laura van Gilder and I were off the front a bit and I attacked.  Cath bridged up to me and we were away!" Kiesanowski told RoadCycling.co.nz this afternoon.  

She estimates the two Kiwis were out in front together for the final three laps.

"It was a bonus for me knowing I had my teammates behind, ready to come across with anyone that tried, or could also win in the sprint," she said.

In the final sprint it was Cheatley versus Kiesanowski

"I jumped hard before the final corner and sprinted to the win. Cath was strong in the race so I was glad to be away with her!" Kiesanowski said.

"The organisers put on a great race, the course was downtown and a bit different with a couple of cobble/brick sections which made it that much more interesting!"

Today's win was Kiesanowski's first NRC victory for 2010.  She placed 3rd best rider in last year's ranking after playing a strong and consistent support role for her teammates which helped Tibco win the team's classification.  Today Kiesanowski earned the victory for herself.

"My first NRC win,  it's always great to get one."

Earlier in the day a Kiwi had won the men's event too. Patrick Bevin finished off a strong performance by his Bissell Pro Cycling team for his own first NRC victory.

Kiesanowski's next event is the six day Cascade Classic in Oregon. Last year she had four Top 10 stage placings, including a 2nd place and finished 10th overall with four teammates in the Top10.

See also

• From Sprint Ace to NRC Ace - Patrick Bevin
• 1st 2nd and 3rd overall for Kiwis in Fitchburg