"I'm feeling really good. All my training has been great, I've put in all the work with my coaching team and we're in a position where we are ready for a strong performance.
"There's a lot of good cyclists out here, particularly in the elite division. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with the top guys but I want to be there or thereabouts at the end of the race.
"In the junior division there's a few talented riders that will make me work hard but I still think I can take out the division.
"I'm hoping to get the leg done in two hours and 50 minutes. Last year wasn't great at three hours and twenty minutes but I'm sure it'll be a bit different this time around."
There were other good performances from local riders on the opening day.
Andrew Townsend (33rd), Bevan Collins (34th), Dave Bowers (48th) and Hamish Pedersen (49th) all finished in the top 50 while Jorja Swain led the female under-19s category and is third in the overall female division.
Around 50 local riders were part of the field that started at Kensington Park at 9.30am.
Riders were treated to slightly cooler weather on the first day and temperatures are expected to be similar over the next few days.
The riders now head from Russell to Opononi on the second leg, which covers around 89km.
They then head on the final two legs over the weekend - an 83km ride from Opononi to Dargaville before returning to Whangarei on Sunday via a final 83km journey.
The course covers a total length of 359km.
