THIRD OLYMPIAN SIGNS UP FOR SBS BANK TOUR OF SOUTHLAND

A third Rio Olympian has signed on to compete in the country’s leading stage cycle race later this month.

Waimate cyclist Dylan Kennett will lead the Adair Craik Accounting Team in the SBS Bank Tour of Southland to thank the Oamaru accountant for the support she’s given him throughout his cycling career.

He’ll join fellow Olympic team pursuit squad member and four-time Tour winner Hayden Roulston, and double Olympic gold medal-winning rower Hamish Bond, who’ll be competing in his second Tour, in the race.

Kennett, who competed in the team pursuit and omnium in Rio, said he planned to use the Tour as part of his endurance training.

“The team consists mostly of younger riders, many of whom will be riding the Tour for the first time.

“I really want to pass on what I have learnt over the past six years and enjoy the camaraderie during the Tour. It's also a really cool opportunity for me to thank Adair for all the fundraising support she has done as well as acknowledge all the organisations and individuals who helped fund the national and international events I have attended.”

Team sponsor Adair Craik was looking forward to having Kennett on the team to help nurture the next generation of young cyclists.

“For me it’s a huge honour to have Dylan willing to share his experience with these young cyclists,” she said.

“For the first time, Oamaru will have four riders in the SBS Bank Tour of Southland and that is mostly due to the inspiration Dylan has provided to the sport of cycling in North Otago, Waimate and South Canterbury.”

Kennett will ride with Kris Rush, Jesse Young, Jake Marryatt, Martyn Ryder and Josh Connor in the 60th anniversary tour, which starts on October 30.

The 21-year-old set an Olympic record to win the 200m flying lap in the omnium, in a personal best time – and .287 seconds quicker than legendary sprinter Mark Cavendish. He briefly climbed to the bronze medal position during the final event, the points race, before finishing eighth in the six-event omnium.

Kennett also won a rainbow jersey in the team pursuit at the 2015 World Track Cycling championships, alongside Southland rider Pieter Bulling, Alex Frame and Regan Gough, with Marc Ryan as reserve.

ABOUT THE TOUR

The SBS Bank Tour of Southland is the premiere cycle stage race in New Zealand and attracts riders from around the world. This year marks the 60th anniversary of New Zealand's most prestigious road cycling stage race, with a number of great names from the present and past set to be part of the celebrations.

The Tour - Oct 30 to Nov 5 - will traverse more than 900km of Southland and Central Otago's most stunning scenery, with only the hardiest of riders completing the distance, and only the strongest getting to add their name to the list of former champions, which is a veritable who's who of New Zealand cycling.

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