The 2013 Club Road Nationals kick off in Queenstown tomorrow (Thursday) with 33 Cycling Southlanders in action in the Time Trials on the first day of competition.
Madeleine Gough holds the honour of the first Southlander in action in the Under 15 Girls, third rider away at 9:03am over 14 kilometres. Then a six strong Southland contingent lines up in the Under 15 Boys. made up of Samuel Miller (9:14), Corbin Strong (9:16), Lachlan Graham (9:18), Hamish Keast (9:22), Hunter Gough (9:24) and Ronan Ferguson (9:27).
Emma Cumming starts the Under 17 girls competition at 9:29, followed by teammates Makayla Smith (9:31), Lucy Timpany (9:34), Bronwyn Graham (9:40) and Alex Bodle (9:48). Jennifer Muhl represents Southland's interests in the Under 19 Women at 10:20 while Mary Marshall rides in Masters Women 6 at 10:26, Gordon Ashton in Masters Men 8 at 10:33 and Max Anderson in Masters Men 6 at 10:53.
A powerful foursome of Under 17 boys complete the 14 kilometre time trials with Tom Sexton away first at 10:59 followed by Josh Carpenter (11:12), Brayden Stephens (11:15) and Hayden Strong (11:17).
Robert Huisman has been forced to withdrawal from the Under 23 Time Trial due to illness, meaning a break in action for Southlanders until Sam Kopae sets off over 25 kilometres in Masters Women 4 at 12:12.
Southlanders are guaranteed a medal in the Masters Women 2 with four of the six starters riding in Southland colours. Shirlene Rollo starts them off at 12:17, followed by Kerry Cox (12:41), Nicola Stevens (12:20) and Erin Criglington (12:22).
Kylea Gough sets off in Masters Women 1 at 12:24 before more of the Masters men. Mark Day (12:54) and Sier Vermunt (12:57) will contest Masters 4, Alan Strong (1:08) in Masters 3 and Derek Tan in Masters 2 at 1:26.
Gabby Vermunt is Southland's sole Elite Women in action at 1:41 with Josh Haggerty (1:54) and Anton O'Connell (2:00) finishing a big day in the Under 19 Men.
Follow live updates throughout the day on Cycling Southland's Facebook page.