Cycling: Dean to race in Tour de France

Julian Dean. Picture / Rotorua Daily Post

Julian Dean is set to join a select band of New Zealand cyclists to have ridden twice in the Tour de France.

Dean was today confirmed in the nine-man Credit Agricole team to compete in the sport's greatest race, starting on Saturday.

He will add to his first appearance in 2004 and become just the fifth New Zealander to ride in at least two Tours.

The others were Tino Tabac (1971, 1972, 1973 and 1976), Eric Mackenzie (1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986), Stephen Swart (1987, 1994 and 1995) and Nathan Dahlberg (1988 and 1989).

" Believe it or not but I'm up for the Big One," a delighted Dean said on his website.

"It has been a pretty difficult path to get there... again. Much like the last time, I think my best form will come during the Tour de France."

In a similar manner to two years ago, Dean has battled back from injury to force his place in the nine-man team.

His season appeared to be shattered by a knee injury two months ago but solid performances in the recent Tour of Luxembourg and the Tour of Switzerland -- both five-day stage races -- proved his fitness.

"I think that maybe I wasn't as convincing in Switzerland as the team had hoped but obviously I showed enough and they have enough faith in me to know that I'm on the right track for the Tour," Dean said.

"The last two days of Suisse I especially struggled. The last road stage was a hard mountain stage and I spent much of the day battling as the last rider on the road.

"It would have done my condition truckloads of good and I know that I'll be better for it."

Dean, ninth at last September's world championship road race in Spain, missed the 2005 Tour de France after breaking his right elbow in a crash in the Tour of Italy.

In 2004 he earned the label the "best leadout rider on the planet" after helping his team's No 1, Norwegian Thor Hushovd, win two stages and wear the coveted yellow jersey for a day.

Dean went on to place 127th overall.

Hushovd won the points classification last year and is out claim the green jersey again, with Dean to play a key role in that according to one cycling website report today.

Five of the nine Credit Agricole riders are from France.

- NZPA