Kiwi cyclist George Bennett will be the star attraction at his home town event tomorrow's Abel Tasman cycle challenge.
It's the first big race in this country for the 26 year old since his debut in the Tour de France in July.
He finished 53rd overall, along the way he collided with a spectator, and at one stage also ended up down a bank.
"It was a crazy year," said Bennett.
"I've competed in 100 races and back to back grand tours and I've come out of it with a lot of confidence," Bennett added.
Bennett stands at 1.8 metres tall and weighs 58 kilograms which makes him a noted climber.
This will put Bennett at an advantage as the course has plenty of hills on the course where he can stamp his authority.
The race will see around 400 compete in the 158 kilometre race including double Olympic champion rower Hamish Bond.
Bond recently finished eighth in the tour of southland and Bennett reckons he's a real threat for line honours.
"I"ve chatted a few numbers with him and he s got a serious engine under his hood and he's pretty focused," said Bennett.
Tomorrow will also be a fore-runner to the road nationals in Hawkes bay in January, before Bennett again heads back overseas, trying to build on what's been a break-out year.
Newshub.
