Cycling: NZ cyclists continue Beijing push

New Zealand cyclists Jo Kiesanowski and Catherine Cheatley continued to push their claims for Olympic selection with strong performances in the Liberty Classic women's race in the United States.

Kiesanowski, riding for her Tibco team, finished seventh after challenging in breaks throughout the 93km event in blazing heat of 30degC at Philadelphia.

Dutch Olympian Chantal Beltman won the race while Cheatley also finished in the main peleton, in 14th place.

Kiesanowski was in an early nine-strong break that came back to the field.

She then went clear in the decisive break with three riders, all from the High Road Team who used team tactics to deal to the New Zealander.

It was an impressive ride from both New Zealanders, with Cheatley following her win last weekend in the CSC Invitational at Arlington, Virginia.

New Zealadner Lauren Ellis finished 40sec behind the winner while her Jazz Apple and New Zealand teammate Emma Peterson was 9min 27sec in arrears.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Glen Chadwick finished in the peloton in the men's Philadelphia International over 251km, with blazing temperatures playing a major part.

Compatriots Greg Henderson, Jeremy Vennell and Heath Blackgrove did not finish.

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