Cycling: Kiwi cyclist wins sprints

New Zealand road racer Joanne Kiesanowski's goal was to win a stage in the prestigious Tour de L'Aude women's race in southern France, which finished yesterday.

But when the chance to win the sprints classification over a world-class field arose, the 25-year-old rider from Christchurch grabbed it.

Riding for professional Italian team Nobili Rubinetterie, Kiesanowski wore the red jersey from start to finish of the 11-day tour, ending with 35 points, eight ahead of runner-up Youlissia Martissova of Russia.

"I'm really pleased to have won the red jersey - it was one of the three biggest women's tours in the world," she said yesterday.

"It [the red jersey] wasn't a goal - then I ended up leading on the first day. Then it was like, okay, I was going for it."

Kiesanowski did not win a stage, but "I got a second, a third and a fourth so I'm still happy".

The tour was won by American Amber Neden.

The New Zealand national team - Toni Bradshaw, Michelle Kiesanowski, Johanna Buick, Tamara Boyd, Robyn Wong and Dale Tye - finished 13th overall, one spot ahead of Australia.

- NZPA