Amaran, Cheatley extend NRC overall leads in Grand Rapids; Kiwis sweep Grand Cycling Classic

Grand Rapids, Mich. — The men’s and women’s overall leaders in the 2010 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar extended their leads Saturday (July 10) during the Meijer Grand Cycling Classic. https://www.usacycling.org/gallery3/var/resizes/usacycling/album42/GRWomensPod.jpg?m=1278955588

Women’s NRC leader Cath Cheatley (NZL/Colavita-Baci Pro Cycling) finished second in Grand Rapids to increase her advantage over Alison Powers (Pinecliffe, Colo./Team Vera Bradley Foundation), who did not enter the Grand Cycling Classic. Shelley Evans (Scotts Valley, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty 12) also skipped this weekend’s event to race in the Giro Donne, and remained in third place.

On the men’s side, overall leader Luis Amaran (CUB/Jamis Sutter Home-Colavita) was tenth in the Grand Cycling Classic, widening his lead over the idle Scott Zwizanski (Mill Valley, Calif./Kelly Benefit Strategies). Rory Sutherland (AUS/United HealthCare p-b Maxxis) remained third after skipping the Grand Rapids event.

Below are the men’s and women’s overall standings for individuals and teams in the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar after 16 of 23 events:

Men’s Individual Standings
1. Luis Amaran (CUB/Jamis Sutter Home-Colavita) 996
2. Scott Zwizanski (Mill Valley, Calif./Kelly Benefit Strategies) 579
3. Rory Sutherland (AUS/United HealthCare p-b Maxxis) 565
4. David Veilleux (CAN/Kelly Benefit Strategies) 538
5. Ben Jacques-Maynes (Watsonville, Calif./Bissell Pro Cycling) 497

Women’s Individual Standings
1. Cath Cheatley (NZL/Colavita-Baci Pro Cycling) 792
2. Allison Powers (Pinecliffe, Colo./Team Vera Bradley Foundation) 699
3. Shelley Evans (Scotts Valley, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty 12) 529
4. Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, Pa./Mellow Mushroom) 519
5. Evelyn Stevens (New York, N.Y./HTC Columbia) 497

Men’s Team Standings
1. Jamis Sutter Home/Colavita 1864
2. United Health Care p/b Maxxis 1632
3. Fly V Australia 1425
4. Kelly Benefit Strategies 1382
5. Bissell Pro Cycling 1338

Women’s Team Standings
1. Team Vera Bradley Foundation 1778
2. Colavita-Baci p/b Cooking Light 1716
3. TIBCO 1680
4. Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty 12 1422
5. HTC Columbia 1395

Two-time Olympian Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL/TIBCO) defeated countrywoman Cheatley in a two-rider sprint finish in the women’s race. Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, Pa./Mellow Mushroom) broke away from the peloton at the end to earn the final podium spot. The win was Kisanowski’s first on the NRC circuit in 2010, while Cheatley followed up her win in last week’s Fitchburg Longsjo Classic with another podium finish. Van Gilder finished in the top three for the second time in a month following her win in June at the Tour de Grove.

Patrick Bevin (NZL/Bissell Pro Cycling) held off Bernie Sulzberger (AUS/Fly V Australia) and Hilton Clarke (AUS/United HelthCare p-b Maxxis) to win the men’s race and secure a Kiwi sweep in Grand Rapids. Named the 2009 Junior Road Cyclist of the Year by Bike New Zealand, Bevin joined Bissell in June. Ten teammates raced along with Bevin in the Grand Cycling Classic, giving Bissell the largest contingent in the race. Many teams fielded experienced sprinters, and Bevin was nearly caught as he approached the finished line, but he held on for the win.

The men’s NRC will continue Saturday (July 17) in Boise, Idaho, at the Boise Twilight Criterium. The following week will feature men’s and women’s races June 20-25 in Bend, Ore., at the Cascade Classic.