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BEIJING - Hayden Roulston's second life as a professional cyclist is gathering momentum with the former Europe-based rider hoping to cash in on his doubly successful exploits at the Olympic velodrome.
While the bronze and silver medallist unwound with his family, partner and friends last night there were
also business commitments to attend to for the 27-year-old, who was also in touch with his manager.
Roulston's pro career seemed headed down a cul de sac four years ago when disciplinary issues forced him to resign in 2005 from a plumb ride on the United States-based Discovery team, the former home of Lance Armstrong.
It was Roulston's second assault-related case following an incident in Timaru following his selection for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Roulston's attitude may have been remedied after those run-ins, but then his health was compromised in 2006 when he was diagnosed with a heart defect - a potential death sentence for an endurance athlete.
After two months of reluctant retirement, Roulston stumbled upon a Japanese healing method called reiki which gave him the peace of mind to get back in the saddle.
Since coming back in late 2006, Roulston has made almost every domestic post a winner and in Beijing he won silver in the men's individual pursuit and a bronze in the team event, the first time a New Zealand track cyclist has won two medals.
That has spurred him on to have another crack at the European road circuit, and a deal is in the offing.
"It's pretty likely that I'm going to be going back next year. Nothing's signed and sealed yet but it's looking pretty promising," he said.
"It's something I really want to do so I'm pretty excited. It'll definitely be a big team but I'll just be happy to sign the contract."
On reflection, when Roulston broke through to join Cofidis, then Discovery and Health Net it all came a little too soon.
"I've changed quite a lot, I think.
"With a few years, a bit of maturity comes. I stumbled on all that pro stuff at a very young age, I was very green when I first went to Europe.
"I did it all by myself so it wasn't easy. There were a lot of pressures and a bit of stress involved - the big, big difference now is that I'm pretty happy."
Roulston, who is determined to ride for a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, thought some of his pursuit team colleagues might also be ready for a professional road team - though not to the detriment of their track work.
Sam Bewley, Wes Gough, Jesse Sergent and Peter Latham have already spent time in western Europe prepping for the Games and on the back of New Zealand's bronze medal ride, Roulston thought interest was sure to be piqued.
"I think these guys have got a couple of options," he said.
"The way New Zealand cycling is forming at the moment, there could actually be a team within New Zealand cycling that go to Europe but still with a track focus," he said.
"Something like that would be fantastic. There's a little bit of talk about that now. To do that, then you would keep hold of the guys.
"All of them are so talented that it's not going to be long that word is out that these guys have got engines.
"As soon as a pro team sees that, sees some testing results and a couple of road results then they'll be snapped up."
- NZPA
