NZCT Women's tour route preview

Feb 24th, 10.  Overview of the five day six stage NZCT Women's Tour of New Zealand.

This year's tour begins this afternoon in Martinborough ©RoadCycling.co.nz

While most of the stage is flat, the 100 strong peloton face the first climb of the tour at the 65km mark, the well known Te Wharau hill.

However, with another 35km to the finish line the bunch could still come back together for a bunch sprint unless a motivated climber makes a decisive break.

The start list is packed with fast finishers including last year's Sprint Champion Rochelle Gilmore, New Zealand's Cath Cheatley and Jo Kiesanowski and a host of Australians intent on making their mark in this only UCI tour in Oceania.

On the second day the riders will tackle the 114km from Masterton to Palmerston North via the Pahiatua Track.

The Pahiatua Track includes a 12km climb with a fearsome reputation. Strong winds can batter the riders, and with only 14km from summit to finish line it'll be the climbers who arrive into Palmerston North for victory.  

Watch out for last year's Queen of the Mountain and current Australian Road Race Champion Ruth Corset who will be looking to shine through.

There are more climbs in the '10 tour compared to the '09 tour ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Day 3 includes two stages around Palmerston North, both suited to the fast women of the peloton.

Stage 3 is an 87 loop from Palmerston North through Ashhurst and back and although the profile isn't flat, the 27km of downhill gradient to the finish should be more than enough to launch the sprinters across the line.

The day's second stage is an 11km individual time trial around the grounds of Massey University.  Riders must use their standard road bike without the benefit of aero bars or aero helmets.  

New Zealand's Linda Villumsen will be one to watch as will Australian Time Trial Champion Amber Halliday and Amber Newel the 2008 World Time Trial Champion from America.

Saturday's 5th stage sees the peloton retrace the route from Palmerston North where the effects of the Pahiatua Track climb are likely to be nullified by the 90km stretch from there back to Masterton.  

The closing stage sees the peloton race around Wellington city streets for a criterium on Sunday where, unlike the recent men's tour, hopefully the weather will stay clear and give the riders and spectators a fitting finale.

Related article

• Start list

The NZCT Women's Cycling Tour of New Zealand runs from the 24 - 28 February 2010. It is a team's based UCI 2.2 event.