New Zealand cyclist Linda Villumsen has continued her hot spell of form on the road in Europe.

Villumsen finished the three day Festival Luxenbrougeois Du Cyclisme Feminin Elsy Jacobs in fifth place overall in the three-stage series, the best placed of the GreenEdge-AIS riders.

She is expected to move into the top-20 overall UCI world rankings this week and has also jumped to 14th overall on the World Cup rankings.

The three-time world championship medallist was sixth in the prologue at the Elsy Jacobs, then eighth after initiating the break with a superb attack on the hills on stage two to move to third overall. Her team were unable to respond to the attacks on the final stage as Villumsen settled for a finish in the peloton to finish fifth overall.

This follows a third place finish in the GP Stad Roselare in Belgium, a UCI 1.1 category race, after the GreenEdge Rider went clear in a three-strong break. Villumsen pushed clear during one of the nine climbs on the tough course in the heart of the Flemish Ardennes.

She was just pipped for second in the sprint finish won by Annemiek Van Vleuten (NED).

The 27 year old also finished third in the demanding La Fleche Wallonne race earlier this month which was the fourth round of the UCI World Cup and a day later was second by only one second behind the winner in Borsele.

Villumsen is delighted with her form especially after some health issues which forced her to withdraw from the New Zealand road championships in January, after continued low iron counts. However with support from BikeNZ sports science staff, she has returned to her best under the guidance of coach and Italian professional, Marco Pinotti.

“My first goal is to build some strength to be at my best for the Olympics. My big ain is to win a medal in London and things are going well right now,” Villumsen said.

Meanwhile fellow New Zealand Olympic cyclist Jesse Sergent has been selected to ride in his first Grand Tour, part of the strong Radioshack Nissan Trek line-up for three-week Giro D’Italia that starts with a prologue in Denmark on Sunday (NZ time).

MULTISPORT
Multisport festival attracting athletes of all descriptions
Inspirational comebacks, elite stars, national champions, first-timers and fun-chasing families  - this year's Thermatech 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival has got it all.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon
The 2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon is once again taking place this Sunday for the 33rd time in what has become a race rich in history and 2013 provides much the same.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
Christchurch Airport Marathon - Return of the Champions
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Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
20th birthday celebrations set for iconic Taupo event
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Wednesday, 22 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Young North Canterbury rider top 10 in Mountain Bike World Cup
Young North Canterbury mountain biker Ben Oliver had an impressive start to his international career with a top-10 finish in the opening round of the UCI World Cup.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

CYCLING
Archbold scores first win for new pro team
BikeNZ Olympian Shane Archbold has taken no time to strike for his new professional team with victory in stage two of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Bozzone bounces back with race record win in Florida
The 2008 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone has put his injury problems behind him with a comeback win in Florida today.

Monday, 20 May 2013

BMX
Walker excited as tickets go on sale for UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland
Fans will get their first chance to see the best BMX riders on the planet when Auckland hosts the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships on 24-28 July.

Monday, 20 May 2013

RUNNING
Camille Buscomb on track to qualify for 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
From Hamilton, Camille Buscomb is New Zealand’s leading female middle-distance athlete.

Monday, 13 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Brook MacDonald 2013 The Search for Scree
New Zealand Downhill Mountain Bike Champion Brook MacDonald searches for some new and challenging scree.

Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Sisson looking for swim solutions to back his blistering run speed
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Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
McIlroy holds on for top ten on a 'flat day' in Yokohama
Kate McIlroy made the most of a bad day at the office when finishing 9th at the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Yokohama today, a result that leaves the Wellington athlete 7th in the overall series standings after three races.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

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