Cullen puts in steady show

CAPITAL cyclist Kate Cullen was due back in the saddle today for the second stage of the Tour de Limousin in France after a steady performance in last night's opening time trial.

Cullen clocked six minutes 54 seconds for the 4.6 kilometre ride in Limoges, placing her just outside the top 50 in a 117-strong field and 42 seconds down on stage winner Ellen van Dijk of the Netherlands, the current track world champion in the scratch race.

Cullen's time was two seconds slower than her Moving Ladies team-mate Linda Ringlever and both will have the support of their colleagues as they seek to move up the field over the rest of the four-stage event.

The second stage got underway this afternoon and takes the riders on a hilly 121-km route around Charente, starting in Chassenon.