Cycling: Been there ... Dean that

You don't need to tell Julian Dean it's been a busy year.

After all, the Waihi-born and raised cyclist has overcome two broken elbows, competed in the Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders World Cup races, the Tour of Switzerland, finished second overall to claim the points jersey in the prestigious Tour of Britain and has raced on more than 70 other days during the year.

He was also there for what many describe as the world's largest sporting festival - the Athens Olympic Games, where he finished a creditable 15th in the men's road race - and he was there, as the only New Zealander, gutsing it out with a 12th placing in the final stage of the punishing Tour de France.

But fans of Dean who think 2004 will be a difficult year to emulate needn't expect him to bunker down.

The cyclist is ready for another two years' racing on the international stage after re-signing with French professional team Credit Agricole.

He also reckons there is unfinished business to attend to in 2008.

"It's only two more years to Beijing after my contract runs out with Credit Agricole," Dean said while enjoying an eight-week holiday in the Bay of Plenty.

"Although I was pleased with my performance in Athens, I wasn't so happy with my result. And I think there is some unfinished business there possibly."

Dean was the only Kiwi rider to overcome the trying conditions in Athens during the men's 224.4km road race. Fellow New Zealanders Jeremy Yates, Heath Blackgrove and Robin Reid all dropped off the tail of the peleton and, according to Dean, it was due to their inexperience of high-level competition.

"They weren't [ready]. But you have to send somebody and the best idea is to send riders so they, hopefully, can turn pro and go on to become competitive in the future," he said.

Dean was among the contenders for the bronze medal on the final lap and crossed the line in a bunched sprint, 12 seconds behind winner Paolo Bettini of Italy.

He felt he could have finished higher than 15th had the trawl round the historic city centre been ridden more aggressively.

"I felt during the critical moments of the race, I was up there with the top six or seven guys. But one thing with cycling is there are so many external factors out of your control, particularly in the Olympics with only five racers per team - it's less animated," he said.

"One of the problems in the Olympics is it becomes more of a free-for-all. Luck comes into it. I didn't really have any support - it was pin the tail on the donkey."

Dean contested the men's road race less than three weeks after racing in the Tour de France. It was his first attempt at the 3395km race after being bought into the Credit Agricole team as a support rider "at the last minute" after overcoming elbow injuries.

But the delight radiating off Dean's face as he recalls his experience suggests it won't be his last.

"I've been to the Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games and pretty much have been part of every other major bike race in the world. But it's a truly special, special event," he said.

"To me it's more special than the Olympics Games. The whole atmosphere, organisation and intensity is just amazing.

"The Tour de France is a much more concentrated event and as a rider you feel the spirit of the event because it has a heart. The Tour has got a big pulsing heart that travels around and for me that makes a big difference."

The newcomer was labelled by his team-mates as the "best lead-out rider in the world".

The time at home is a chance for Dean to mentally prepare for another busy year living in Valencia, Spain, and racing constantly.

His first race back will be the Tour of Malaysia from January 28 to February 6, then he will concentrate on building for the Tour de France in July and the World Championships in Madrid in October - his two biggest goals for 2005 - and remaining injury and illness free.

- NZPA