Cycling: Ulmer pipped in sprint

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Transtasman rivalry took to the roads of Waikato yesterday, Australia's Anna Millward edging top New Zealand cyclist Sarah Ulmer in a four-up sprint at the end of the second of two World Cup warm-up races.

Ulmer, who bypassed the first race on Wednesday, looked strong in her final outing before Sunday's World Cup road race in Hamilton.

In, or near, the lead for much of the 100km race - 25km out and back and two 25km circuits on back roads near Morrinsville - Ulmer and Millward initiated the race-winning break when they led the field over a gradual climb about 35km from the finish.

They were quickly joined by Australian Katie Mactier and American Lara Ruthven.

This quartet worked well and once they stretched their lead beyond a minute, the rest of the field were happy to just lap it out to the finish.

A couple of early attempts were made to bridge the gap, but the strength and experience of the break ensured they stayed clear.

Millward led out the sprint finish and held off Ulmer by about three-quarters of a bike length, with Mactier third, ahead of Ruthven.

The winners recorded 2h 46m 17s - about six minutes slower than the first warm-up race.

The bunch, which included Wednesday's race winner, Zinaida Stahurskaia (Belarus), was about five-and-a-half minutes back.

Race promoter Stephen Cox said the two races had given all riders a good blowout and should have them ready for Sunday's race. "With what we have seen in these two races, it is obvious Sunday's World Cup is going to be hotly contested."

Sunday's race will be run on a circuit around Hamilton's lake.