KEY POINTS:
Do not expect much from Olympic champion Sarah Ulmer in the women's cycling tour of New Zealand which starts in Lower Hutt this afternoon.
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist has been receiving advice from several specialists and she has been instructed to ride in the tour to test different treatments for her sciatic nerve problem which leaves her with no power in one leg.
New Zealand Manager Suzy Pryde says Ulmer will not be fully fit for this week's tour but riding is part of the trial process to see what is going on with her injury. Overall, Pryde is confident her New Zealand team is better equipped to compete this week after a disappointing result in Geelong.
She says her team has two welcome additions who strengthen their chances of success, with sprinter Jo Kiesanowski and climber Rosara Joseph giving them a chance of finishing on the podium. Former World champion Judith Arndt and 2004 World Cup winner Oenone Wood are among the favourites.
The five day tour begins with a criterium through Lower Hutt from 2:30pm.
- NEWSTALK ZB
