New Zealand cyclist Clinton Avery will join compatriot Jesse Sergent in a trial riding with Pro Tour team Radioshack.
The 23 year old Avery, who has enjoyed success for the PWS Eijssen team in Belgium this year, begins his stagiaire with Radioshack in the Tour of Denmark next week riding alongside fellow Rotorua rider Sam Bewley, Sergent and world pursuit champion Taylor Phinney.
His early Christmas comes today when he heads a few kilometres down the road from his base in Belgium to another Rotorua friend, Radioshack head mechanic Craig Geater, to get fitted for his new bike and racing gear.
"Craig lives close to me in Belgium and has been a real support. This is an exciting but nervous time really because there's a lot on the line," Avery said. "But it will be great to be riding with Sam and with Craig there too."
Avery started his career in mountain bikes including competing in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, before moving on to the road and trying his luck in Europe. He received an invitation to ride with the Soenens Germond team in Belgium last year, after competing with the national under-19 cycling team in France.
The national under-23 road and time trial champion moved to the PWS Eijssen team this year and has enjoyed significant success including overall victory in the high profile De Vlaamse Pijl stage race earlier this month, considered a stepping stone to a pro tour contract.
Avery attracted interest from a number of pro teams about stagiaires including Skil Shimano, but left it too late to get a trial last year. Cervelo and HTC Columbia also made inquiries this year before he and manager Andrew McQuaid, son of UCI President Pat McQuaid, settled on Radioshack.
"I have some mixed emotions. I am excited for sure but also nervous. I've got a lot at stake. I know that a lot of teams will be looking at how I compete in the next few weeks and a couple of bad rides could mean the end.
"At the same time I have to be confident with my form right now and I really want to show them why I am a rider that should have a pro tour contract."
Avery said it could be a boon for the cycling scene in Rotorua if he could join Julian Dean and Bewley on the pro tour next year.
