KEY POINTS:
Women's Tour of New Zealand officials are delighted with the field assembled for the five-day cycling race starting next Wednesday.
Race director Jorge Sandoval released the names yesterday, saying the lineup was well beyond his original expectations.
He said the 12 teams included two of the top three professional teams while six riders inside the top 21 in the world would make their presence felt.
He had turned down approaches from several overseas cyclists because he could not fit them into teams.
"To have the reigning champions from three of the biggest cycling nations in the world - Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland - plus two former world champions and current Olympic champions racing on New Zealand soil is a privilege to any sport.
"On top of this we have national teams from Australia, Germany and of course New Zealand, as well as professional teams from the United States, the Netherlands and Germany."
The two highest-ranked New Zealanders on the world listings are Joanne Kiesanowski, 36th, and Sarah Ulmer, 27th. Both will ride as part of the New Zealand national team.
