Cycling: Strong field for Tour de Femme

The past two champions look set for a head-on clash when Nelson's fourth annual Tour de Femme road cycling tour begins on Tuesday.

Last year's winner, Wellington's Nadene Boyle, and the 2001-02 champion, Christchurch hillclimb specialist Johanna Buick, are among the 75-rider field -- the biggest domestic women's road cycling field ever assembled in New Zealand.

Buick was missing from last year's roster after her American racing team refused to grant her a leave of absence. But she'll be putting the pressure on Boyle to repeat last year's winning performance over the three-day 220km tour.

However, they'll both be feeling the pinch from a quality field.

Olympians Michelle Hyland of Cambridge, who finished 56th in the Athens road race, and Wellington's Robyn Wong, 16th in the mountain bike event, strengthen the field, in which Wellington's Melissa Pilla and Dunedin's Dale Tye should also press strong claims.

Christchurch's Michelle Kiesanowski, younger sister of Athens Olympian Jo Kiesanowski, represents the emerging talent, having finished fourth at the road nationals.

She also competed in this year's Geelong Tour and has been racing in the United States.

Nine of Triathlon New Zealand's elite women's squad are competing, with Evelyn Williamson, Lynley Allison and Fiona Docherty -- sister of world triathlon champion Bevan Docherty -- the leading contenders. Adventure racer Kristina Anglem (nee Strode-Penny) is also in the field.

Tuesday's 70km first stage involves a return journey from Brightwater and including the Spooners Range and Reay Saddle, starting at 8.30am. The afternoon's second stage is an 8km individual time trial around the Waimea West circuit.

Stage three on Wednesday is an 11km individual time trial up the Takaka Hill, starting from the Riwaka Hotel at 10am and ending at the limeworks. The 50km fourth stage starts at 2.30pm and involves five laps of the Mahana circuit.

Thursday's fifth and final 80km stage is the longest of the tour and starts from the Redwood Valley Kart Club at 9am. A Nelson City criterium will also be held on Thursday evening.

- NZPA