Cyclist's win driven by love

Wanganui professional cyclist Hayley Giddens seems to be riding on more than just determination as she picked up another win during her American season late last month.

The 24-year-old won the pro women's race at the Wheels on Willy Criterium held in Madison, the state capital of Wisconsin, where her ISCorp Intelligentsia team is based.

During the 265km ride, Giddens was sent to the front by her team mates and then went solo to victory as they blocked for her.

She would spend over half the race in the lead to earn the win by 32 seconds, with two of her teammates sneaking away late to grab the other spots on the podium.

"We did it in 7 hours, 15 minutes, averaging 37kph," said Giddens.

However the motivation was not her time, but the fact her boyfriend had a front row seat.

"It was only the second race he's been to, so I was super happy to win in front of him."

She is now a convert to the scientific theory that being in love can give a sporting boost.

"There's no doubt that it's beneficial to my performance. I didn't know how I would race after doing the Bone Ride, just a few days earlier."

Wheels on Willy is the biggest race on the calendar for the Wisconsin State Cup and is held on Madison's historic Willy St.

Giddens has been on a break with her partner ahead of the start of next week's Nature Valley Grand Prix.

The five-day tour is from June 12-16 in Minnesota and is part of the national series circuit.