Olympic cyclists Hayden Roulston, Marc Ryan and Sam Bewley spearhead a powerful team for Calder Stewart - BikeNZ in this year's Tour of Southland which starts in Invercargill next week.
The three Olympians will be well supported by Jeremy Vennell, Jason Allen and Jason Christie in an impressive line-up at one of New Zealand's iconic sporting events.
Roulston, the current New Zealand Road Champion, comes off a busy season with the HTC Highroad Pro team and will be aiming to win the Tour of Southland for a phenomenal fifth time in just six years, second on the all-time winner's list behind the legendary Brian Fowler.
He has recently confirmed his future with a yet unnamed European cycling team and is looking forward to riding an aggressive Tour.
"I always love racing on home soil as I gives me a chance to stay in touch with my fans. I feel like I'm in top shape and in the right frame of mind to go back and win a fifth. I have clearly got a super strong, really well rounded team beside me too".
Ryan has also enjoyed a full season racing in Belgium with some good results while also picking up a number of top results in New Zealand.
Meanwhile 24 year old Bewley has had a successful and busy season riding for the ever powerful Radioshack team and is in solid form ahead of the tour. Vennell rides for the USA based Bissell Pro Cycling Team and has some excellent performances to his name this year.
Thirty year old Allen has been racing nationally for the Subway Pro cycling team and Christie, the current Under 23 New Zealand Time Trial Champion. Christie was sixth at the Under 23 World Time Trial Championship has had an excellent season, including racing successfully in Belgium
The 55th Tour of Southland begins with the prologue next Sunday before 900kms of racing over eight stages around the region finishing on Saturday 5 November.
