Tour of Southland NZ

Anyone following the Southland Tour going on this week? Our local hero, Michael Olheiser, is competing down there, so I've been watching the results: www.tourofsouthland.com

Kudo's to Jackson Plumbing Co, a NZ firm who sponsors his team. Heard today that they paid to fly the riders from US to NZ. A guy name Floyd from California will probably get more press than Mike O, but I'm rooting for him to beat up on a few of the kiwis this week

Fat chance of Landis doing that. Hasn't fired a shot so far.

Kiwis are doing pretty well even if three time winner Hayden Roulston crashed out in first road stage. As the NZ Junior Selector I'm pretty stoked with the way the U19 riders have attacked the event. They are holding the sprint jersey and U23 jersey, but Livestrong's Jesse Sergent is looming close.

Pity with Roulston going to Colombia next season he will not be able to race as a Pro Tour rider as Greg Henderson was held back this year. Henderson is out next year as well as his new Sky team have their Pro Tour licence.

__________________
Hamish Ferguson: Cycling Coach
http://hamishferguson.blogspot.com/

Fergie, didn't know you were so involved with the race scene there. I don't know any of the NZ cyclists, but I hope your juniors do well. Note, my hometown #91 is up to 15th overall today, between a couple of U23's.

Agree Landis isn't doing much; I was just referring to his press coverage on the webpage. You know "Landis registers for the Tour", "Landis arrives in NZ", etc.

Landis was in the break today but it was U19 Paddy Bevin who won his 2nd stage while other U19s Tom Findlay extended his U23 lead and Michael Vink added more KOM points although Aussie Ben King was in the break and maintains the KOM lead.

__________________
Hamish Ferguson: Cycling Coach
http://hamishferguson.blogspot.com/