Australian Woman's elite road race Champion and 2007 Le Race winner Carla Ryan will be on the start line again next month for the gruelling 100 kilometre Christchurch to Akaroa event.
New organisers Mainland Cycling say entries for Le Race have been coming in at a steady rate and are tracking towards 1300, including the surprise entry of Ryan.
Based in Queensland, the 23 year old cyclist who races for European professional team Cervelo TestTeam convincingly won the Australian time trial title for the second time in three years in January as well as the elite woman's road race to record a rare double victory.
A former middle distance runner, Ryan signed a two-year deal with Cervelo's female team last year - leading New Zealand cyclist Hayden Roulston rides for the men's team - and is picked as a future star of the sport in Australia.
"It's exciting to have a cyclist of the calibre of Ryan at the event; it's fair to say she will beat most of the men," Race Director Simon Hollander said.
Cyclists will need to enter early to guarantee entry for this year's Le Race as Mainland Cycling plan to limit numbers to 1000.
"We want the event to be a great experience for competitors and local Akaroa residents, and initial discussions with the traffic management team indicate 1000 riders is where we should head."
"We want to limit traffic congestion and associated issues but also want to see riders and their supporters enjoy Akaroa and all it has to offer as a great destination."
"Cyclists wanting to enter will have to get in quick to make sure they don't miss out," organisers said.
Le Race is in its eleventh year and is well established as one of the must do cycle events in New Zealand. Mainland Cycling are working on a series of new initiatives for 2009 they plan to announce over the next three weeks.
Competitors can enter the event online at www.lerace.co.nz.
