Move to Waikato puts cyclist on track

Cambridge ticked all the boxes for Southland’s elite track cyclist Nick Kergozou De La Boessiere when he decided to further his career.

The 21-year-old’s rise up the ranks of cycling has been meteoric since he was selected for the New Zealand Track Cycling men’s team pursuit at the 2016 UCI in London.

Being named in the track cycling team for the Rio Olympics was a high but he soon came back to earth when he found he had missed the final cut.

Fortune paved the way again and Kergozou was selected for the Cycling NZ elite squad.

‘‘Being in Southland it was hard to comprehend what was needed to be an elite cyclist but since making the move his understanding has become a lot clearer,’’ he said.

‘‘Just being in the same town, training and hanging out with the team is making an exceptional difference.’’

Access to a world class facility, top trainers, nutritionists, psychologists and some great hills around Cambridge - all seem to agree with him.

‘‘Since being in Cambridge I have learnt how hard I can push myself.’’

Nick and the New Zealand team won the silver medal in the final of the men’s 4000m team pursuit at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong.

He had been competing there with Dylan Kennett, Piet Bulling and Regan Gough.

While his focus three years out from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics remains on track cycling, the lure of road cycling remains.

He was crowned king of the A Grade men’s criterium at the Cambridge Twilight Cycling Festival as he powered away in the sprint finish ahead of other preme riders Harry Waine and Logan Griffin.

Nick admits being a top athlete is tough on his social life but he said it’s all about being balanced.

‘‘Basically you make it what you want it to be.’’

An insight into how he unwinds from his fulltime job of training, Nick loves his boat and wake boarding.