National women's cycling team ready to roll

AUSTRALIA'S women's track and road cycling team will race this weekend's Adelaide Tour as a final hit-out before embarking on its European season.

Women's cycling team

AUSTRALIA'S newly combined women's track and road cycling team will race this weekend's Jarvis Subaru Adelaide Tour as a final hit-out before embarking on its European season.

A squad of 10 riders, including London Olympian Amy Cure, has spent the past week training around Adelaide ahead of the three-stage race, which starts tomorrow.

"They're probably better swimmers than bike riders given all the rain we've had," coach Gary Sutton said.

"But no one has complained about doing 120-150km a day - their work ethic has been awesome."

The Australian Institute of Sport this year merged its female road and track teams to form one women's endurance program, which has significant logistic and training benefits.

"We've got such an array of riders that we've covered all bases," Sutton said.

"We've got road sprinters and climbers, we've got everything we need when we take the team to Europe."

The riders will race for different teams during the Adelaide Tour this weekend before heading to Europe on June 15.

ADELAIDE TOUR, MAY 24-26

Friday - 20.9km team time trial, Cudlee Creek to Newton.

Saturday - 158km road race, Woodside to Woodside.

Sunday - 82km kermesse, Newton.