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PEDALLING HER WARES: Sarah Ulmer powers through Scorching Bay in Wellington on her way to winning the Tour of New Zealand yesterday. ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post

Ulmer looms as main threat in World Cup race

Ulmer dominated the world's best riders on her way to the women's Tour of New Zealand title and Welsh rider Nicole Cooke said yesterday there was no doubt the field was wary.

"I think every rider is individual, but I can see Sarah is in good form. To be honest, there's no reason why she can't follow through on Sunday," the 2003 world champion and current Commonwealth Games champion said.

Though there was no doubt riders would lift for the World Cup event, Cooke said form was an important factor.

"Personally I don't take anything for granted. If there's a rider not getting the results it does not mean they are not strong. They are just waiting for it. But if a rider's in form, like Ulmer, they are not going to lose it in two days."

Racing for Swiss Univega Pro team, Cooke is expected to be among the contenders in a field that includes Australian world No 1 Oenone Wood, former world champion Judith Arndt, of Germany, and Ina Teutenberg, of T-Mobile, who won last weekend's opening World Cup round in Geelong, but sat out yesterday's time trial.

New Zealand Trust House team manager Susy Pryde said it would be a mistake to put too much expectation on Ulmer.

"All the riders are in such great form I would like to see it turn into a proper race. We will have to assess things with the conditions.

"We will have to see how Sarah recovers from the tour. The great thing about this team now is we have got potential winners in several riders."

Topping that list could be Tammy Boyd, who finished ninth to be the leading New Zealander at the opening World Cup race in Geelong.

And Ulmer said she would not go into the race expecting her teammates to move aside. "We'll see how everyone comes out of here and make a plan for Sunday. The plan can also be changed on the road depending on what happens in the race."

Ulmer knows there are some quality riders lying in wait for whoever the New Zealand team decides to promote.

"The World Cup races are very prestigious on the World Cup circuit for the women. They are part of an overall series so there will definitely be a few people that were not in contention for the tour that will have put their feet up today in preparation for a good one on Sunday," she said after winning the final stage time trial.

"There are a few guns that didn't show all their cards, I'm sure."

The 124km race, which starts at Parliament, features 20 laps of a 6.2km inner-city course featuring two tough climbs up Boulcott and Bowen streets.