Swiss rider for Tour

SWISS RIDER FOR TOUR OF SOUTHLAND 

Simon Pellaud knows very little about the SBS Bank  Tour of Southland, but he does know to expect that the race will be a tough event but a great opportunity to come and race in a foreign country.

The Swiss rider is one of a handful of cyclists whose entry in this week’s Tour of Southland has come as a result of the Southland event's reputation stretching to many parts of the globe.

The SBS Bank Tour of Southland was recommended to the young Swiss rider by compatriots Stefan Keung and Thery Schir.  Keung came here to race back in 2012 after his coach had visited Southland as coach of the Swiss team at the UCI Junior World Track Champiosnhips at the Invercargill Velodrome and was impressed with the Southland styled cycling events.  Keung crashed heavily while racing in the Tour of  New Caledonia which concluded only days before the Tour of Southland commenced but still displayed glimpses of the very good form he had displayed as a junior cyclist, having won the European junior men’s madison title and also gaining a fifth placing in the individual pursuit at the world championships.  Keung enjoyed the Southland Tour and returned last year with good friend and team mate Thery Schir and both rode strongly for the Pure South Team.

The 20 year old Pellaud comes to Southland after competing at the Junior World road cycling championships earlier in the year and will ride as part of the McCallums Group team. 

Tour Manager Bruce Ross said that he has been impressed by the young Swiss riders who have come here in the past and it is great to see that the Swiss contact with Southland continues with the entry of Simon Pellaud this year.  Ross said  “The Tour is internationally recognised and that’s the great thing about it – people from all over the world have heard about the event and come here to race."