Kiwi cyclists win titles in US

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New Zealand cyclists have scooped up a hat-trick of titles in the United States, with Lauren Ellis, Jo Kiesanowski and Patrick Bevin all winning National Racing Calendar events at the weekend.

Ellis had support from fellow Commonwealth Games track cycling squad members to go clear to win the Iron Hill criterium in Pennsylvania while Kiesanowski and Bevin triumphed in the Grand Rapids Classic in Michigan.

Ellis made a solo break with 11 laps to go in the 40km criterium with her teammates Kaytee Boyd, Jaime Nielsen and Gemma Dudley covering the breaks from the peloton as she opened a 23-second advantage with three laps remaining.

"They were awesome. Having amazing teammates is great," Ellis told Velo News.

"I didn't look back too much except on the downhill but I knew with about five laps left I was going to win."

Boyd finished fourth and Nielsen 16th in the bunch sprint.

Meanwhile, Kiesanowski had good support from her Tibco teammates who attacked on the rough roads in Grand Rapids.

They attacked early until Kiesanowski found herself away in a group of four riders, including fellow New Zealand Commonwealth Games road squad rider Cath Cheatley.

Cheatley was the only rider to go with Kiesanowski's burst late in the race as the pair broke clear. Kiesanowski had the kick to win the sprint finish from Cheatley who retains her lead in the national road championship points table, following her victory this month Fitchburg Longsjo Classic in Massachusetts.

Bevin, 19, enjoyed his brightest moment as a young professional with victory in the men's race.

Bevin had the benefit of a strong team support from his fellow Bissell riders.

Midway through the 90-minute race Bevin edged clear with another rider, with the rest of the Bissell riders containing the pack.

Bevin pushed hard and broke away, opening up a 30sec advantage before holding on once the chasers reduced the margin to under 10sec entering the final lap.

"I just put my head down and kept going," Bevin said.

"Those guys were coming and quick but I was just able to hold on."

Leading results:-

Grand Rapids Classic at Michigan, men: Patrick Bevin (NZ, Bissell) 1, Bernard Sulzberger (Fly V, Australia) 2, Hilton Clarke (US, United Healthcare-Maxxis) 3.

Grand Rapids Classic women: Jo Kiesanowski (NZ, Tibco) 1, Cath Cheatley (NZ, Colavita-Baci) 2, Laura Van Gilder (US, Mellow Mushroom) 3.

Iron Hill criterium at Pennsylvania, women: Lauren Ellis (BikeNZ) 1, Erica Allar (Team Vera Bradley) 2, Sarah Caravella (Colavita Baci) 3. Other New Zealanders: Kaytee Boyd 4, Jaime Nielsen 16.

- NZPA