The remarkable Rushlee Buchanan will look to become the first female cyclist to win the national road race championship five times, after confirming her entry for next month's nationals in Napier.
The 29-year-old is an inspirational Waikato rider who moves with seemingly effortless ease from a professional road rider with United States-based UnitedHealthcare to being a key contributor to the Vantage Elite New Zealand women's track cycling programme.
While her current focus is on the track looking towards the world championships and Commonwealth Games, she has won three of the last four years and twice in a row at the BDO Nationals in Napier.
A major challenge is likely from World Tour rider Georgia Williams, a former Olympic track teammate, now focussing on the road where she greatly impressed in her rookie year with Mitchelton-Scott. She has been a four time runner-up and will no doubt be looking to get to the top of the podium.
Buchanan's Vantage elite track teammates, Racquel Sheath, Kirstie James and Elyse Fraser will be competing along with Bryony Botha, Michaela Drummond and Holly Edmondson, in the under-23 division.