Gough makes Olympic team

SUBWAY® Pro Cycling’s Westley Gough has been named today in a strong New Zealand track cycling team for the London Olympics.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee announced its track team plus reserves built around riders who achieved podium performances at the recent world championships in Melbourne and reflects Bike NZ's increased world class performances.

Gough won two bronze medals in Melbourne; in the team’s pursuit with Sam Bewley, Aaron Gate and Marc Ryan and in the men's individual pursuit (IP). He smashed his personal best during IP qualifying before going even faster when it counted to make the podium with a time of 4min 16.945 seconds.

Gough received the news today in Korea where he is racing with his SUBWAY® Pro Cycling team in the Tour de Korea. SUBWAY® Pro Cycling’s other BikeNZ endurance track team member Pete Latham missed out on Olympic selection but Team General Manager Hayden Godfrey says he has handled it well and is focused on finishing well in the Korean Tour.

“Obviously it’s hard when one rider in the team makes it and another one doesn’t. We are very happy for Wes but feel for Pete, who has handled the news today like the true professional he is.”

The New Zealand Olympic Track Cycling team is:
Men: Shane Archbold (Timaru), Sam Bewley (Rotorua), Eddie Dawkins (Invercargill), Aaron Gate (Auckland), Westley Gough (Waipukurau), Ethan Mitchell (Auckland), Marc Ryan (Timaru), Jesse Sergent (Feilding), Simon van Velthooven (Palmerston North). Reserve: Sam Webster (Auckland).

Women: Rushlee Buchanan (Te Awamutu) - subject to quota confirmation, Lauren Ellis (Hinds), Natasha Hansen (Invercargill), Joanne Kiesanowski (Christchurch), Jaime Nielsen (Hamilton), Alison Shanks (Dunedin). Reserve: Katie Schofield (Dunedin) - subject to acceptance of final qualifiers.