Olympic medallist Simon van Velthooven has cut short his competitive sojourn in Japan to line-up in the first Rio 2016 qualifying event in Cambridge starting tomorrow.

Four talented Southland cyclists are attempting to put their best foot forward for selection in the New Zealand team for future Junior World Track Cycling Championship events.

Ten cyclists will be departing from Bluff on Friday 11 October and, over 22 days, will make their way up to Cape Reinga - a staggering distance of 2330kms!!  The purpose is to "Ride Out of the Blue," is to raise awareness of depression and suicide, and raise money for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ to implement mindfulness programmes into NZ primary schools for prevention and early intervention of mental health problems later in life.