Beijing Olympian Catherine Cheatley showed she is back to her best in finishing sixth in a bunch sprint at a women's World Cup round in Montreal today.
Cheatley showed she has fully recovered from a serious injury on the track this summer to claim the best finish by a New Zealander in a World Cup since Sarah Ulmer won in Wellington three years ago.
Racing for her US-based pro team, Colavita Sutter Homes, Cheatley had a strong performance over the hilly 110km course. Only 33 riders finished from the 112 starters with 25 finishing outside of the time limit, such was the gruelling pace set by the breakaway group of six riders that included Cheatley who rode aggressively over the hills.
Britain's Emma Pooley held off the chase group to claim victory from Emma Johansson and Trixi Worrack with Cheatley close behind in the bunch sprint.
Of the other New Zealanders in the race, fellow Olympian Joanne Kiesanowski was 14th at one minute 14 seconds behind while Te Awamutu's Emma Petersen finished outside of the time limit.
The World Cup heads next to Sweden on July 31.
Leading results from the women's World Cup, Montreal, 110km: Emma Pooley (Britain, Cervelo TestTeam) 3hr 09.09 1; Emma Johansson (Swedish National Team) at 1:14 2; Trixi Worrack (Germany, Equipe Nuernberger Versicherung) same time 3; Ruth Corsett (Australian national team) same time 4; Regina Bruins (Netherlands, Cervelo TestTeam) same time 5; Catherine Cheatley (NZ, Colavita Sutter Homes) same time 6.
Other New Zealanders: Joanne Kiesanowski (NZ, Team TIBCO) at 4:58 14; Emma Petersen (NZ, Team Ultralink) outside time limit.
