Cycling: Strong form points to three Games spots

By DAVID LEGGAT


With one eye on the Athens Olympics, New Zealand cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski is out to continue her strong form on the World Cup road circuit in this weekend's Tour of Flanders.

The Christchurch rider has been impressive in recording placings of 11th, 8th and ninth in the three World Cup races so far.

Her best performance came in the Primavera Rosa race in Italy where she was eighth, three seconds behind winner Zoulfia Zabirova, the well-performed Russian who won the Olympic time trial in Atlanta in 1996.

Kiesanowski's form has her lying ninth on the nine-race World Cup standings and leading New Zealand towards securing up to three spots in the Olympic women's road race field.

Places are awarded based on points accrued over International Cycling Union-approved races. The latest UCI rankings have New Zealand in 16th place, which equates to three riders in Athens.

Kiesanowski finished ninth in the Castilla to Leon cup race in Spain this week, which was won by German Angela Brodtke.

Kiesanowski has 43 points, well behind leader Oenone Wood of Australia, whose first, third and second placings have her on 160. Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers is second on 85 points, giving Kiesanowski a target within her range over the next three cup races.

Five other New Zealand riders are on the circuit - Auckland's Melissa Holt and Kirsty Robb, Michelle Hyland of Hamilton, Ros Reekie-May of Morrinsville and Susie Wood of Lower Hutt - but all are well off the pace being set by Kiesanowski.

Reekie-May was next best New Zealand finisher in Spain in 56th spot.