KEY POINTS:
This month's Tour de Femme cycling race has attracted a record number on entries including that of national road series points leader Serena Sheridan.
Sheridan, runner-up last year to Christchurch's Andrea Hewitt, will face a field of 80 riders - 10 more than last year.
Other leading local hopefuls include Rushlee Buchanan, Emma Crum, Karen Fulton and Dale Tye.
The five-stage race over three days has also attracted competitors from Australia, Canada and Switzerland.
The race starts on December 28 with an 11km climb up the Takaka Hill.
Stages two and three are 48km and 70km circuits followed by Stage Four, a 19km individual time trial. The final stage on December 30 is over 80km.
- NZPA
