Experienced Kiwi cyclist Sam Bewley is gearing up for his fourth crack at the gruelling Vuelta a Espana, which gets underway this weekend.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to the mountains in Spain, having ridden the Spanish Grand Tour three times before.
Bewley is part of the strong Australian team Orica-Scott, who will be hoping to land general classification riders Adam Yates and Esteban Chaves on the podium in Madrid. If they're to achieve their target, Bewley will be a massive part of it.
The Rotorua product is a powerhouse 'domestique', or support rider. His job is to do everything he can for Yates and Chaves throughout the challenging three-week event.
"We've certainly got two main guys going for the general classification," Bewley told Newshub.
"Everybody else is here to do a job and to support those guys, whether it be on the mountain stages or the flatter stages for guys like me."
Strangely enough, the Vuelta actually starts in France, with a team time trial. Bewley has a big responsibility to set the pace and get the team off to a strong start.
"I'll have an important role on that stage to try and hopefully gain some time, or at least not lose any if we can."
Bewley's confident he's ready for the race, even if his preparation hasn't been textbook.
"I sort of got messed up a few times with sickness but I've managed to make up for it with a good training and racing block. I feel good and I think I'm in good condition."
Spain is a place he's familiar with too, and he's well aware of what to expect.
"There's bound to be some stages that are pretty similar to what we've done most other years. It'll help just knowing the roads and quite a few of those earlier stages are around areas where I've trained a lot."
Bewley certainly seems comfortable with the team, after inking a one-year contract extension earlier this week.
He's also looking forward to seeing fellow New Zealander Aaron Gate on the start line. The pair won bronze at the London Olympics in 2012, as part of the men's team sprint.
"Yeah, it's great to see him on the start line.
"He's a very, very talented road rider. This year's been a big year for him and now he's getting a Grand Tour in.
"They always say once you get the first Grand Tour in your legs you go up another level … it's going to be great for Aaron."
Gate is racing for new Irish team Aqua Blue Sport and will be making his Grand Tour debut.
George Bennett has also been confirmed to start for LottoNL-Jumbo, while it's expected Tom Scully will take part for Cannondale-Drapac.
Newshub.
