Kiwi women outnumber men at Philly

Jun 6th, 10.  Whereas just three Kiwi men are competing in Philadelphia tonight (NZ Time), five Kiwi women are racing their event, the Women's Liberty Classic.

Last year's podium with Teutenberg 1st and Kiesanowski 2nd ©CJ Farquharson

In 2009 the women raced at such a fast pace they caught the men racing on the same circuit, forcing race officials to neutralise the men's race so the women could compete uninterrupted.  

Kiwi Cath Cheatley told RoadCycling.co.nz she's planning on lapping the men this year!

The five Kiwi women racing are Cheatley, Linda Villumsen, Jo Kiesanowski, Genevieve Whitson and NZ Road Champion Rushlee Buchanan.

Linda Villumsen - HTC Columbia

Villumsen is working for her HTC-Columbia leader, three-time Liberty Classic winner, defending champion Ina-Yoko Teutenberg. 

Teutenberg is in great form as shown with her recent three stage wins at Tour de l'Aude, well supported by Villumsen, and a big performance at the Tour of Chongming Island in China where she won two stages, the overall, and the World Cup race. 

Jo Kiesanowski - Team Tibco

Kiesanowski was second in this race last year. It's always been her favourite race.  The Christchurch rider goes into the race fit and confident after a period racing in Europe and a recent criterium win in her new home town of Seattle.  

Buchanan in her team branded NZ champion jersey ©Veronika Lenzi

"There are so many "Philly" type climbs, very steep ones that I have been going up and down this week! " Kiesanowski told RoadCycling.co.nz about her new home base.

"I can't wait for the race! We will have a strong team."

Team Tibco are prepared for a number of scenarios.

They have Australian National Road Champion Ruth Corset, known for her climbing ability, 2008 U.S. National Road and Criterium Champion Brooke Miller in case there's a bunch sprint and the Kiwi who the team describe as, "A strong climber who can also finish off the race with a good sprint."

Cath Cheatley & Rushlee Buchanan - Colavita Baci

Last year Cheatley finished just 1sec behind Kiesanowski, for 5th place.  Like Kiesanowski, Cheatley loves this race and she's already proved her climbing legs are ready for action after her great win in the Queen stage of the Tour of Gila last month.

For Buchanan, the NZ Road Champion, this is her first year at Philly.   The Kiwi is in fine form having won three criteriums at Speedweek a month ago.

In many ways the Philly course is similar to the circuit course of the Christchurch Elite Nationals where Buchanan broke free from the field and rode alone to victory.  If her team tactics allow it she'll be in her favourite position - out in front of the race.

Gen Whitson - MVP Healthcare Cycling

Whitson while back in NZ earlier in the year ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"I'm very much looking forward to Liberty this weekend, this is my first time racing it and I have heard awesome reports about the crowd and general atmosphere there," Whitson told RoadCycling.co.nz

One thing Whitson is concerned about is the heat.  The temperature change from Oxford to Philadephia is hard enough, but Whitson has heard the race is pure torture if the sun bakes the riders too.

"My expectations are that it is going to be a really, really tough race. The line up this year has so many world class women, including Jeannie Longo who is one of the most extradinary women on the cycling scene. To still be absolutely tearing the field apart at 52 years of age is in inspiration to us all."

Longo has nine Road World Championship titles and four Olympic road medals from a total of seven Olympics!

"There has been a lot of talk about how many older women are in contention for the win this year as well which I think is really positive for the sport and it throws away the notion that as a female you're 'done and dusted' at say 33," said the 29 year old.

"I am seeing more and more older female riders succeeding in cycling and it just goes to show that you can come into the sport at a later age and still have a successful riding career."

The Liberty Classic is on Jun 6th at 9:10am - or 1:10am Jun 7th NZ Time.