Begg still on a roll at WIC in Zurich

TIMARU speedskater Nicole Begg has maintained her momentum in the World Inline Cup (WIC). Racing in Zurich, Begg finished fifth in the sprint for the line to retain second overall in the marathon series, with her team unbeatable for the team title.

Begg's team-mate Cecilia Baena dominated again and won in a fantastic sprint, with Alexandra Vivas third.

Baena also has the individual title wrapped up, on 1110 points with four rounds remaining.

Begg has 788 points and her only realistic challenge can come from her other team-mate, Vivas, on 743 points.

The team's domination has seen them win eight of 11 WIC races so far, with three seconds and three thirds.

Begg has also been in outstanding form on the track as she builds up for next month's World Inline Championships in Spain.

In a midweek track series against a selection of the world's best she is unbeaten from 200m to 15,000m.

She also spent time in Spain last week testing wheels on the track in Gijon where the championships will be held.

In the men's race in Zurich, Joey Mantia, of the United States, won with an incredible performance for the second time.

In the final sprint of the pack, he demonstrated his strength and fitness to beat Colombian Diego Rosero and Frenchman Yann Guyader.

In 34C heat, the attacks started early.

At the end the first of five laps, a bunch of eight, including Wayne Begg, broke clear with a second bunch of 10 following 100m back, including Mantia, who chased the leaders down without help. By the tight-end turn-around, the two groups joined into a lead group of 13, which held on to the end.

Ten skaters contested the final sprint with Palmerston North's DJ Nation fourth and New Plymouth's Ben Alchin sixth.

- © Fairfax NZ News