Shanks confirmed for NZ cycling tour

World track champion Alison Shanks will head the New Zealand team for this month's Women's Cycling Tour of New Zealand.

The tour starts with a 98km stage from Martinborough to Masterton on February 24, before going to Palmerston North the following day over the Pahiatua Track.

Day three involves an 87km stage from Palmerton to Ashhurst and an 11km time trial in Palmerston, before the riders retrace their steps over the Pahiatua Track to return to Masterton.

The final stage is a criterium in Wellington on February 28.

Shanks, who won the 3000m individual pursuit at last year's world track championships, is likely to excel in the two stages in Palmerston North on the tour's third day, which includes a time trial.

Others among the team include national road champion Rushlee Buchanan, 2005 tour winner Cath Cheatley, as well as Kaytee Boyd, Joanne Kiesanowski, and European professional Linda Villumsen, who recently became a New Zealander.

The tour will be Villumsen's first appearance in a New Zealand team, and with an impressive record including multiple titles in her native Denmark, two European championships, and an overall victory in the Route de France, she will be among the favourites in the general classification.

The quality of the New Zealand team would ensure they were among the most dominant in the tour, race director Jorge Sandoval said.

"It's great the national team members will have world class opposition in their own country," Sandoval said.

"It also helps generate greater public interest in the NZCT tour when there are New Zealand riders figuring prominently over the five days."

- NZPA