Opus International Consultants have been part of Cycling Southland’s Corporate Pursuit event for six years, but that doesn’t mean the team is too serious to enjoy themselves.

When New Zealand track cyclist Natasha Hansen rides the boards of the Olympic velodrome in London in a few weeks' time she will be doing it to honour the memory of her best friend.

Southland is set to become a booming international tourist destination this August, with teams from at least 18 different countries already confirming they will be booking flights to the deep south of New Zealand.