Kung expecting breezy Tour battle

Press Release
(For immediate release)

Kung expecting breezy Tour battle

(Monday 29 October) Stefan Kung knows very little about the PowerNet Tour of Southland, but he does know to expect cross winds – and strong ones.

The Swiss rider is one of a handful of cyclists whose entry in this week’s PowerNet Tour of Southland has come as a result of Cycling Southland-hosted events.

Kung has lined up in New Zealand’s premier cycling tour for Team Hydraulink on the recommendation of his coach, who led the Swiss team at the UCI World Track Juniors in August. Two Under 23 Australian riders – Ayden Toovey and Jordan Payne – are both back in the south after competing in the Yunca Junior Tour of Southland.

Says Kueng: “My coach went with the Swiss juniors (to the world championships in Invercargill) and asked me if I wanted to do this Tour. It sounds nice… (but I hear it is) windy, I hear there are a lot of cross winds, so we will see.”

This is Kueng’s first season as an U23 rider, after a hugely successful stint as a junior which included a European junior men’s madison title and a fifth placing in the individual pursuit at the world championships.

He finished within the top 10 of today’s stage one sprint finish into Lumsden and is expected to be one to watch as the tour progresses.

Kueng is one of more than 20 international riders in the Tour field and, while his expectations are somewhat limited, he is confident of a good result.

“I will look at how the race develops, but my goal is to get on the podium on a stage, or even to win one,” he said.

“In Switzerland the weather isn’t always so nice, so I like when it’s a little bit rough. But in the wind I have not so much experience. In general classification I will see how I can follow the best.”

Tour director Bruce Ross said it was fantastic to see that Southland hosted cycling events continued to attract international riders back to compete in the region.

“The Tour is internationally recognised and that’s the great thing about it – people from all over the world have heard about the event,” he said.

“Stefan’s coach was here for the junior worlds and recommended the Tour to him. Stefan has been identified as a very bright young prospect coming out of Switzerland so it’s great to have him here.”

The PowerNet Tour of Southland started on Sunday with the team time trial and prologue. Stage one, raced today, was won by Paddy Bevin (Bissell Pro Cycling) in a sprint finish and tomorrow’s stage will see riders take on the 137km stage two, which will finish at the top of a gruelling climb up Bluff Hill.

ENDS

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