The list of world class riders entered for next week’s NZCT Women’s Tour of New Zealand continues to grow.

Hard on the heels of the two classy German teams already announced, Race Director Jorge Sandoval has today confirmed another six international teams for the tour.

Top USA rank Webcor Builders Cycling pro team as well as national teams from China, Japan, South Africa, Ukraine and USA have today confirmed their entries for the event that runs from February 27 to March 2.

Webcor Builders Team from United States is sending a champion line up including Canada's reigning road and time trial Champion Gina Grain, 2006 dual Canadian Champion Alex Wrubleski and 2006 World Championship bronze medallist and Tour of Montreal Overall Champion American Christine Thorburn.

The team also includes:

Katheryn Curi: 2005 US National Road Champion; 3^rd overall Tour Cycliste Feminin International Ardeche 2007.

Erinne Willock: 2005 Canadian National RR Silver Medallist; Overall Champion Joe Martin Stage Race; San Dimas Valley Stage Race.

Amy Dombroski: 2006 and 2007 US National U23 CX Champion.

Sandoval is thrilled with the news that more and more national teams are making their way to Wellington every year.

 “We want overseas teams to come to New Zealand and participate in our event.  The Chinese, Japanese and South African teams have not been accepted in the Women’s tour or World Cup in Geelong a few days earlier and they are coming direct to Wellington.  What this means to me is that all the hard work that we have done over the last few years to make sure that we run a great event is paying off.”

“Riders who come here go home speaking really well about our event and organisation and this encourages more overseas teams to come here.”

“The Japanese team has been in a training camp for the last two weeks in Adelaide preparing for our tour,” Sandoval said

With the Beijing Olympic Games less than six months away, local cycling supporters will also get the opportunity to gauge the quality of Chinese riders with the inclusion of the Chinese national women’s team.

Known for their power and determination, the Chinese team is sure to prove a handful for opposition riders. Included in the Chinese team is:

MENG Lang  (UCI Ranking 46) - 2007 Asia Championships Road Race champion; 2007 La Route de France Feminine stage 4—Third.

LIU Yong Li - 2007 Tour of CHONGMING Island ITT-champion

2006 Asia Championships ITT-Second

HUANG Xiao Mei - 2007 UCI World B Championship Road Race- champion

GAO Min - 2007 UCI World B Championship Road Race- Second

CHEN Li - 2007 China Championships Road Race-Second

WANG Fei - 2007 International Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen (Germany) –U23 Champion

"Having some of the best riders in the world here in New Zealand is great for the sport and for our event," he said.

"The NZCT Tour is already looking like being bigger and better than last year, and that's fantastic for everyone involved.

The Chinese, American and Japanese riders are very competitive and always want to do well.  Having the South African national team for the first time here is also a great bonus for our event.  They will be formidable opposition to the top Europeans teams as well as our own top New Zealand National team" Sandoval said.