Cycling: Kiesanowski helps Swiss pro team to World Cup win

New Zealand cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski helped her Swiss professional team, Univega, to victory in the eighth round of the women's World Cup series in Denmark today.

The victory not only increases Univega's lead in the teams classification, but also increases the already significant lead of team captain Nicole Cooke, of Wales, in the individual standings.

For the first time in the history of the series, the race was in the form of a team time trial.

Starting in the town of Crhus, the women set out on a 41km out and back course.

The round become a match race between the Buitenpoort Flexpoint team and Univega.

The Buitenpoort Flexpoint girls started fast and were ahead at the first time check.

By the midway point, Univega had fought back and led Buitenpoort by seven seconds. With only seconds between them the whole way home, Univega held on to win by two seconds.

The final three rounds of the World Cup will take place over three consecutive weekend starting with Plouay on August 26.

Cooke now has a 118-point lead over T-Mobile's Judith Arndt going into round nine and her Univega team have a 171-point lead over Buitenpoort in the teams classification.

Overall, Kiesanowski is 13th in the World Cup standings on 87 points.

- NZPA