The 62nd edition of the Tour of Southland gets under way in Invercargill tomorrow. Sports reporter Adrian Seconi — owner of one very rusty bike — looks at the leading contenders.
James Piccoli
The Canadian rider arrived as a virtual unknown last year and left with the title. The 27-year-old will be even better this year having gathered some local knowledge. He has also surrounded himself with some very good riders, including United States cyclist Kevin Girkins and world championship time triallist Hamish Bond.Michael VinkThe 26-year-old Cantabrian was runner-up in 2017. He is a very good rider, who is strong on the hills. He never let the pressure off Piccoli last year and will perhaps get more support from his team, which includes former champion Brad Evans.
Hamish Bond
The champion Olympic rower continues to impress in his transition from water to road. He has a big motor and showed during the 2016 Tour he can get over the hills and compete with the best. He is in a powerful Kia Motors team which may mean he may have to defer his own ambition on occasion.
Brad Evans
The Dunedin rider made an epic journey from China to make the start line of the 2015 Tour. He ought to have been exhausted and faded as the week went on. But instead the 26-year-old hung tough on the climbs and ‘‘smashed’’ the individual time trial to effectively seal victory. The more it blows, the better Evans goes. He will be praying for a decent breeze each day.
Roman van Uden
The Aucklander is a solid rider with plenty of experience who will be looking to poach the odd stage win with his powerful sprint finishes.
Sam Gaze
We know how good he is off the road — the mountain biker won gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year — and that competitive spirit will make him a cyclist to respect at the very least. You would not want to ride off the front if he has stopped for a puncture, though.
Corbin Strong
The Invercargill 18-year-old was part of the New Zealand squad which won the team pursuit at the world junior track championships in Aigle earlier this year. It will be his first Tour and he is one to watch for the future.
Mr Somebody
Nearly 40 of the 108 riders are from overseas, so there is a very good chance Somebody will press for the win.
Tour of Southland 2018
The schedule
Tomorrow: Prologue, 4.2km, Queens Park, Invercargill.
Monday: Stage 1, 170km, Invercargill to Lumsden
Tuesday: Stage 2, 150km, Riverton to Te Anau
Wednesday: Stage 3, 138km, Mossburn to Coronet Peak
Thursday: Stage 4, 148km, Invercargill to Bluff Hill
Friday: Stage 5, 151km, Invercargill to Gore
Saturday: Stage 6, 13km, Winton, Stage 7, 77km, Winton to Invercargill
