Some of our top cyclists will hit the tarmac in Timaru this week for the National Road Cycling Championships.
Among those in the men's peloton is Laurence Pithie, whose big goal is to claim national honours, while continuing to push his case for Paris Olympic selection.
"It's every kid's dream to go to the Olympics and it was always my dream growing up doing sports," he told 1News.
"You never know with selection, but if I keep achieving and doing the work, it should happen naturally, I hope."
The 21-year-old is vying for one of two spots on New Zealand's Olympic road cycling team.
Pithie recently won the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Australia – not only claiming a prized World Tour victory but also becoming the youngest person in history to win the event.
"It was quite unexpected to [win] this early in my career," Pithie said.
"I had a big goal at the start of the season to win a race at the World Tour level so to tick it off in February – well, January at the time – is pretty awesome."
It's the momentum the young gun needs as he heads into the National Championship in Timaru. Pithie's goal is to take out the event – and secure national jersey honours.
"It's most cyclists' dream to represent their country on the World Tour stage," he said.
"When a rider wins the National Championships, the team do a custom jersey that only they can wear in the peloton so yeah, it's a really big deal."
But Pithie's also looking forward to his last ride alongside his older brother, former semi-pro cyclist Campbell Pithie, who's competing in his last road cycling nationals.
"He's always been there, always been my carrot. I've been chasing him ever since I was a child," Pithie said of his brother.
"I definitely wouldn't be where I am without having him to learn from."
Pithie will compete in the time trial event on Thursday, before both brothers tackle the elite men's road race on Saturday.
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