Dion Smith of Wanty-Groupe Gobert. Photo / Getty
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's
most 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.
