Cycling: Cheatley starts her race for New Delhi

Olympian Cath Cheatley begins her campaign to be selected for the Commonwealth Games when she contests the Taranaki Cycling Challenge today.

The Wanganui rider will take on a smallish field in the women's race over 77km, starting at Manaia and passing through Eltham, Stratford and Inglewood before finishing in New Plymouth. The race is the first round in the national series, which comprises 12 races and finishes with the Rice Mountain Classic in Wellington in December. Reigning national points champion Serena Sheridan, of Hawkes Bay, will provide the major competition for Cheatley, who enjoyed a stellar 2009 including nine podiums and 17 top-five finishes in the United States circuit for her Colavita Baci professional team.

Stratford rider Brett Tivers is men's field favourite, as he returns to full fitness after breaking a collarbone.

- NZPA