Linda Villumsen

Wellington, Dec 28 NZPA - Danish cyclist Linda Villumsen is set to announce her intention to ride for New Zealand.

The 24-year-old, who this year gained New Zealand citizenship, is expected to officially change allegiance in Auckland on Wednesday.

Villumsen finished fifth in the women's road race at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and this year came third in the time trial at the world championships in Switzerland.

She has spent considerable time in New Zealand in recent years and in May told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet that she saw herself riding for New Zealand in the future.

"On one level I will always be a Dane. There is where I have my roots and I have family there. But New Zealand has been part of me for many years and I am half adopted by a family down here," she said at the time.