Athens Olympian gets close in UCI World Cup

SYDNEY - Athens Olympian Joanne Kiesanowski was narrowly pipped for a podium finish in the Australian-dominated UCI World Cup road cycling series at Geelong, south of Melbourne, yesterday.

Kiesanowski had to settle for fourth in a frantic bunched sprint to the line, with little separating the New Zealander from Australian winner Rochelle Gilmore, defending champion Oenone Wood and endurance track rider Kate Bates at the end of the 119.2km race.

Two BikeNZ teams, not including Kiesanowski who was part of a multi-national line-up, made much of the running in the eight-lap coastal circuit but Kiesanowski was the only New Zealander to finish inside the top 20.

New Zealander Suzie Wood made the initial attack in lap two, the first of many involving Johanna Buick, Michelle Kiesanowski and Nadene Boyle.

Toni Bradshaw made the last serious attempt to split from the bunch with 15km to race but was also reeled in after forging a brief 10-second lead.

As Bradshaw drifted back, the Australians took over although Joanne Kiesanowski was well positioned for the final sprint.

- NZPA