Rotorua cyclist to ride world champs

Representing NZ at the upcoming UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Florence will cap an exciting month for Rotorua cycling star Sam Bewley.

Bewley has been named alongside his Olympic bronze medal winning team mate Jesse Sergent in the team time trial, and will also play a support role in the road race. He is no stranger to the UCI championships, his World Junior Team Pursuit title in 2005 one of the highlights of his career.

Bewley commented on his new professional athlete Facebook page that he is “looking forward to putting the silver fern back on.”

The UCI Championships begin September 22.

Cycling NZ are not the only ones to show confidence in the Rotorua local. Bewley’s professional cycling team ORICA-GreenEdge has renewed his contract despite him having had time away from the roads, first to focus on the his Olympic track campaign, then with a broken collar bone.

Following the announcement ORICA-GreenEdge Sport Director Matt White said they were happy with Bewley’s development this season.

Bewley performed well in this year’s Tour of Spain, playing a crucial role in chasing down breaks to help team mate Michael Matthews clinch his first Grand Tour stage win on August 29.