Cycling: Bewley makes new Armstrong team

Sam Bewley will join Lance Armstrong's new Radio Shack team next season. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand cyclist Sam Bewley has powered his way into seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's new team, Radio Shack, for next season.

Bewley, a member of New Zealand's 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal winning pursuit team, signed with Armstrong's Trek Livestrong under-23 development squad earlier this year and produced some eye-catching rides.

He impressed in the under-23 section of the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic and at the Tour of Gila in the United States, where he was asked to ride on the front during a stage to try to help Armstrong win the stage.

"I'm a bit nervous but I'm really looking forward to it as well," Bewley told the Southland Times.

He had known the team was looking at him for more than a month, and received a contract in recent days.

"To be hanging around with people like Lance Armstrong and (team director) Johan Bruyneel is a great opportunity. I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can."

Fellow New Zealander Jesse Sergent still has a year to go in the under-23 squad.

- NZPA