Whakatane's Karen Hanlen fought her way to an 18th at the latest round of the World Cup yesterday in Belgium.
Houffalize played host to Europe's first World Cup this season and drew huge fields in all categories - the Elite and Under-23 races especially resembling world championship quality competition.
LondonOlympic hopefuls Hanlen and Rosara Joseph (Wellington) were swallowed by the 94 strong pack in an aggressive start loop, both finding themselves positioned in the 30s going into the first full lap of four. Hanlen regained her composure during that first full lap and started picking off riders at a steady rate, while also improving her circulating speed on the always challenging Houffalize race course. An 18th place finish was just reward for her perseverance, which included the 3rd fastest last lap of the race.
Joseph struggled to follow suit, and by race end hadn't made any in-roads into the position she needed to work back from after the start loop, eventually finishing back in 38th.
After two rounds of the World Cup, Hanlen now holds down 9th place in the overall standings.
Rotorua athletes Sam Shaw and Samara Sheppard also raced at Houffalize, in the Under-23 Men's and Women's events at the weekend. Sheppard started well but couldn't maintain her top ten position to fade to 15th. Shaw also suffered from poor position after the start loop of the 118-strong Under-23 Men's race, but worked his way with typical graft past 38 riders during the four lap race to finish 60th.
The next World Cup round will be held at Nove Mesto na Morave in Czechoslovakia in four weeks' time.
