Howdy doody folks and with just five days to go until Tour time it is the least we can say all but frenetic with planning and final preparation. Needless to say in true Tour spirit, the long range forecast is not looking tropical – watch this space and make sure you get out and cheer the riders on if they are coming past at any time during the week. 

Welcome to Tuesday for another week everyone,

First things first is that it’s imminently Tour of Southland time again and we again plea for anyone with flashing lights, radios and other STMS gear to please return it ASAP to us.

Double Olympian Westley Gough makes his return to international competition after selection for the BikeNZ track team for the opening UCI World Cup in Mexico next month and five Southlanders feature in the 16-strong team.