Small field big names in Elite Women's race

Cath Cheatley racing in the USA earlier in the year ©Veronika Lenzi

The 2008 hotdog event has been replaced with the inaugural Elite Women's Road Race, a 60km race from Turangi to Taupo and the women also have a Street Race battle on Friday night to contest.

Cheatley, who finished her international season with team Colavita Sutter Home as the 5th ranked woman in the US before going on to place 10th in the UCI World Road Race in September, has signed up for both events.

She told RoadCyclng.co.nz she travels to Taupo each year because of the sheer size of the event and the great atmosphere.

"It's awesome to see how many people are out there giving cycling a go and it just so happens I can do a race at the same time!  My family travel up to enjoy the weekend too so it's cool hanging out with them after spending a lot of the year apart," she said.

As for defending her number 1 position, Cheatley says she's a little rusty having just come off her break after the Road World Championships, but not to write her chances off.

"In saying that though, having a competitive nature and loving to race I will always be aiming for the top step! It always helps having such great prize money up for grabs!! That is another reason I like to support Keith and his crew at Taupo as they work hard to put up great money for the women, something that does not always happen in NZ cycling," she said.

The prize pool for the Saturday race, which is sponsored by Workout Zone, is $5,500 with $1,500 for first place. It is the largest prize purse of any women's race in New Zealand.

"It is a small field and over a short distance (60km), but the quality of the riders is very strong and if the wind pops its ugly head up it could make for a really exciting race!" said Cheatley.

The field includes four elite Australian riders looking to take some of the prize money back across the Tasman. Joanne Hogan, Ginger Kidd, Rebecca Locke and Nicole Whitburn are travelling from Melbourne where they race for Prime Estate Women’s Cycling Team.

As well as Cheatley and the Australians, the field of 28 includes Serena Sheridan the BikeNZ National Points Series winner, Melissa Holt NZ Road & TT Champion, Rachel Mercer who is back from her 1st year in a European pro team and many other top performing NZ riders. Full start list here ...

Thumbnail photo: Cath Cheatley racing in the USA ©Veronika Lenzi

Other articles on this great weekend of cycling

• Photos: Meshy Holt and the other winners of the WorkoutZone road race
• Photos: Patrick Bevan's win at the Avanti Classic
• RoadCycling.co.nz's ride around the lake
• Local lad wins Avanti Classic
• NZ Road Champion wins WorkoutZone Road Race
• Results: Avanti Classic
• Results: WorkoutZone Women's Road Race
• Photos of the Taupo Elite Street racing
• Bici Vida hunt down the win
• Battle for the Taupo Streets - women
• Results: Taupo Street Race
• When once just isn't enough
• Top tips for tackling Taupo
• Start list for the Elite races
• Small field, big names in Elite Women's race
• Alison Shanks latest Taupo attraction
• Defending champion skips Taupo
• Julian Dean adds to Taupo weekend
• Taupo Cycle Challenge 10,783 and counting
• Street battle looming in Taupo
• Greg Henderson's tips for one day racing