Cycling: Cheatley 10th at World Champs

New Zealand cyclist Catherine Cheatley has produced a top performance to finish 10th in the UCI World Road Championships in Switzerland overnight.

Cheatley was in contention throughout, riding with the leaders during the 125km race over nine laps of a stern climbing test in Mandrisio to claim her best finish at the world championships.

Italy's Tatiana Guderzo lead an attack with four riders on the final climb on the last lap and cleared out to win by 19 seconds from Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, the Olympic gold medallist and former world road champion, and Italy's Noemi Cantelle.

Cheatley, who rode brilliantly throughout, attempted a solo break from the rest of the chasers in her attempt to claim fifth place on her own. Her endeavours almost succeeded before she was caught by the pack just before the line and had to settle for 10th.

"Cath did a great ride. We knew that she had great form, especially on the climbs and she made a courageous and strong move on the final climb to try for a top five finish," BikeNZ team manager Andy Read said.

Cheatley has enjoyed a strong season with 12 top-10 finishes including four podiums and sixth place in the World Cup in Canada.

Teammate Kaytee Boyd, who rides for the Italian-based Selle Italia Ghezzi pro team this season, rode strongly to finish 33rd.

Rookie Rachel Mercer, in her first year in the senior ranks, did not finish.

Results
1. Tatiana Guderzo (ITA) 3:33.25,
2. Marianne Vos (NED) at 19 secs
3. Noemi Cantelle (ITA) same time,
4. Kristin Armstrong (USA) same time
New Zealanders
10. Cath Cheatley at 1.07
33. Kaytee Boyd at 10.11
Rachel Mercer dnf

- NZPA