New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith will ride at the Tour de France for the second straight year.
Smith has been selected in Wanty-Groupe Gobert's eight-man squad for the event, joining Jack Bauer as the Kiwis locked in to race the Grand Tour.
The 25-year-old Smith is one of New Zealand'smost promising riders, and has had a solid 2018 season to date. A quality all-round rider, Smith has come into his own in the last month, finishing third in the Tour of Belgium, claiming a top-10 stage finish in the Criterium du Dauphine and clinching his spot on Sunday with an excellent second place in the Paris-Chauny classic.
Smith will be a strong utility for Wanty-Groupe Gobert, who have multiple goals for the 2018 Tour. Their main objective is for climber Guillaume Martin to gain a solid placing in the General Classification, but they are also hopeful that Timothy Dupont can earn top-five finishes in the early sprint stages.
Those sprint stages may also be an opportunity for Smith to be near the front, either assisting Dupont or trying to earn a top-10 stage finish himself. Smith has a quick finishing kick, and earned four top-20 stage finishes in last year's Tour, while he is also a strong enough climber to be a quality option in a breakaway, or to sprint in a reduced bunch finish on tougher terrain.
Wanty-Groupe Gobert general manager Jean-Francois Bourlart explained why Smith got the nod for the Tour.
"Smith has a rising shape, as his second place in Paris-Chauny last weekend demonstrates. He already has a Tour in the legs, and Dion performed well in the past Tour of Belgium and Dauphiné. Our New Zealander is an all-rounder: he has his place in the first week and can assist Guillaume Martin in the rest of Le Tour."
Sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren also has faith in Smith, predicting the in-form Kiwi will "be able to show beautiful things".
Smith and Bauer could yet be joined by Patrick Bevin to make it a Kiwi trio competing at the Tour, with Bevin a likely candidate to be announced in BMC's squad in the coming days.
