Kiesanowski 15th in UCI World Road Championships
Christchurch cyclist Jo Kiesanowski produced a superb performance to finish provisionally 15th in the UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Stuttgart, Germany today.
The professional from the Raleigh Life Force team was a select 20-strong breakaway group on the final lap of the demanding course at Stuttgart, finishing in the chasers just six seconds behind the winner Marta Bastianelli (Italy).
The 20 year old Italian broke clear midway around the final of seven laps in the 134km road race, with Kiesanowski working her way into the small chase group that all-but ran down the leader.
The kiwi was unable to match the sprint for the silver and bronze medals with defending world champion Marianne Vos (Netherlands) second and another Italian Georgia Bronzoni third.
It was a very tough race, with overnight rain making the wet surface treacherous while freshening winds caused havoc, blowing barriers in to the path of the cyclists, causing two crashes on the final two laps.
Auckland's Toni Bradshaw was brought down in a heavy crash on the first lap in the slippery conditions.
Latest Press Release: Kiesanowski potential Beijing medalist, says coach (30-09-07)
Bike NZ road coach Jacques Landry believes New Zealand could figure in the medals on the road in next year's Beijing Olympics. This follows the outstanding performance from Christchurch cyclist Jo Kiesanowski who finished 15th in the UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. The professional from the Raleigh Life Force team was a select 18-strong breakaway group on the final lap of the demanding course at Stuttgart, finishing in the pack sprint just six seconds behind the winner Marta Bastianelli (Italy). It is understood to be the best finish from a New Zealand female cyclist at the world championships.
Landry said Kiesanowski was slightly disappointed she could not figure more strongly in the sprint but she "didn't have much left in the tank." "Jo raced brilliantly and rode strongly up in the elite group in the peleton all day. It bodes well for Beijing because we have an athlete capable of competing against the best in the world." Things may have been different for the New Zealanders with Wellington's Rosara Joseph dropping a chain and was unable to rejoin the peleton late in the race. "Rosara looked really strong at that stage up in the peleton and it was a mechanical problem that no-one could have envisaged. Had she been with the peleton it could well have meant an even better outcome for New Zealand as she could have really helped Jo."
"The good thing now is we have six or seven strong female riders who will push for the three spots we are likely to have in the road team for Beijing."
Auckland's Toni Bradshaw was brought down on the wet surface in the first lap and was unable to catch the peleton. The hilly seven lap course over 134km took its toll on the field as riders continued to drop off the peleton until an elite group of 20 formed with two laps remaining. Bastianelli broke clear midway around the final lap although the chasers all-but ran down her down.
Kiesanowski decided to take the wheel of highly rated Trixie Worrack for the run-in to the line but the German ran out of gas to leave the kiwi to sprint without cover.
"Jo gambled on what she thought was the wheel to follow. It didn't quite turn out but it was an exceptionally good ride."
Defending world champion Marianne Vos (Netherlands) got up in that sprint for the silver medal and another Italian Georgia Bronzoni was third.
It was a tough race, with overnight rain making the wet surface treacherous while freshening winds caused havoc, blowing barriers in to the path of the cyclists, causing two crashes on the final two laps.
Rotorua rider Clinton Avery is recovering after a heavy crash in the men's under-23 race. He came down after touching wheels and has a hairline fracture at the top of his
arm. New Plymouth rider Michael Torckler was the best of the young New Zealand team in 98th place, just ahead of Auckland's Alex Meenhorst.
"This is a young group and really they were here for the experience, to understand the pace and aggression of the field. They will be two years away from their peak in this grade," said Landry. "It is very aggressive and fast. Clinton got caught up in that and crashed very heavily." He required hospital treatment but was released later.
The men's team of Glen Chadwick, Jeremy Vennell and Hayden Roulston compete in the elite race over 267kms and 14 laps tomorrow.
Results, UCI World Road Championships:
Elite women, 134km, 7 laps:
Marta Bastianelli (Italy) 3hr 46min 34sec, 1;
Marianne Vos (Netherlands) at 6sec, 2;
Georgia Bronzoni (ITA) at 6 sec, 3.
New Zealanders:
Jo Kiesanowski at 6 sec, 15;
Rosara Joseph at 14:24, 73;
Michelle Hyland at 16:54, 77.
Carissa Wilkes, Toni Bradshaw DNF.
Under 23 men:
Peter Velits (SVK) 4:21.22, 1;
Wesley Sulzberger (AUS) same time 2;
Jonathan Bellis (GBR) same time 3.
New Zealanders:
Michael Torckler at 11:12, 98;
Alex Meenhorst at 16:24, 106;
Sam Bewley, Clinton Avery DNF. |
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