Saturday marks a big day for women’s cycling at NSWIS, as the newly formed NSWIS Sydney Uni Women’s Cycling Team officially begin a new era at the Santos Women’s Tour.

The four stage race will be the first time the team have competed following the creation of the new team. It will also be featuring in the 2017 National Road Series and other select events both nationally and abroad.

2017 will be the second time that the Santos Women’s Tour has been run alongside the Santos Tour Down Under. The prestige of the race for this year has increased following the granting of international status by the sport’s governing body the UCI.

The race kicks off on Saturday 14th January, before finishing on Tuesday 17th. The four stages will take in the famous Adelaide Hills, The Barossa, as well as some street racing through the city.

NSWIS Sydney Uni Women’s Cycling Team riders include; 2017 under-23 national criterium champion Nicola MacDonald fresh from her recent victory, experienced road cyclist and former Oceania Road Racing Championship winner Lauren Kitchen, and track-cycling Olympian Ashlee Ankudinoff.

Ben Kersten, NSWIS Head Endurance Coach, said: “We are excited to launch this new team at such a prestigious and exciting event. The four stages will test the team, but competing against this calibre field will be fantastic for their development.”