New Zealand cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski today finished an impressive eighth in the women's event at the world road race championships in Italy.
The Team Tibco professional was prominent in the sprint from the peloton after the five leading riders had broken away with one lap of the eight-lap 138.8km race to go.
Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke capped a stellar season, following her gold medal at the Beijing Olympic road race, with victory on an undulating course at Varese in the foothills of the Alps.
Cooke beat home two former world champions, Dutchwoman Marianne Vos and German Judith Arndt, with all three recording the time of three hours, 42 minutes and 11 seconds.
Kiesanowski, who rode strongly in the peloton, missed the final break but the Cantabrian pushed up in the sprint among the 27-strong main bunch to grab her best finish at a world championship.
Aucklander Kaytee Boyd, better known as an international mountain biker, enjoyed an impressive debut in the world road race event, finishing 21st.
Both Kiesanowski and Boyd were timed at 1min 47sec behind the winner.
Fellow mountain biker Rosara Joseph, was 69th, at 6min 16sec down, the Wellingtonian having filled a support role during race.
Vos led the final break and edged ahead up the last climb before Cooke and Arndt fought back, with Cooke prevailed in the sprint home.
Cooke had difficulty coming to terms with completing her brilliant double by adding her maiden world road race title.
"It was a dream come true in Beijing and today as well," she said.
"I don't think I've realised it yet. After the race it was very busy and there was a lot going on. I think I need some time to let it sink in." Vos, second last year and winner in 2006, said she felt strong but could not make the winning jump on the final climb.
The championships end with the 260km men's road race tomorrow with Julian Dean and Glen Chadwick heading the New Zealand charge.
Earlier in the week, Greg Henderson withdrew after failing to recover sufficiently from illness.