Two podiums for Kiwi women ahead of NVGP

Jun 15th, 10.  Jo Kiesanowski and Cath Cheatley both placed 2nd in races this weekend as they prepare for Nature Valley GP -  Kiesanowski in Quebec, Canada and Cheatley in Virginia, US.

Racing for her team Colavita Baci, Cheatley placed 2nd in Sunday's Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal Cup criterium.  30min into the 60min crit, the Wanganui rider initiated the winning breakaway.  She finished 2nd in the sprint finish behind Robin Farina (Vera Bradley Foundation).

The day before, Cheatley and team raced the Clarendon Cup (old CSC Invitational) where the finale didn't go to plan.

"It looked like we had it all good until 50m to go when Theresa [Cliff-Ryan, team leader] hit the deck...ouch...she's ok though, just missing some skin," Cheatley told RoadCycling.co.nz

In Quebec, Kiesanowski, racing for Team Tibco, placed 2nd in the sprint finale of the 99.2km GP Cycliste de Gatineau road race on Sunday. 

The course for this first time UCI event was eight 12.4km laps and, despite a good breakaway attempt, which was eventually shut down by the Australian National Team, the field was all together for the difficult finish.  A roundabout 300m before the finish line meant positioning was all important.  Kiesanowski finished 2nd to Joelle Numainville (Webco).

Kiesanowski (L) on the NVGP podium last year ©Steve Pottenger

Next race: Nature Valley Grand Prix

Both Kiesanowski, Cheatley are both currently on route to Minnesota for the Nature Valley Grand Prix which starts tomorrow.  

One other Kiwi women is racing, Linda Villumsen's HTC Columbia team has entered.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix is one of the top ranked women's professional cycling races in the United States.  

Kiesanowski had podium success in this event last year when she placed 2nd in the Stage 2 criterium. She also helped her team win the team's classification, while Cheatley's team was 3rd overall.

Team Tibco plan on defending their title and have named Kiesanowski as one of their two riders who could win the overall title, the other being Australian Road Champion Ruth Corset.

"Both riders should excel on the hilly road courses, and Kiesanowski can use her experience and sprinting ability to try to gain an advantage during the race’s criteriums," said the team statement.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix consists of six stages - a time trial (on road bikes), two road races and three criteriums, the last of which includes an incredibly tough 20% gradient climb!  

The racing will begin fast and furious, then turn challenging in the hilly road race, perfect for the Kiwi girls.  

See also: Nine Kiwi men for NVGP