Kiwi’s Tour de
Dion Smith did not realise how big of a deal wearing a polka dot jersey at the Tour de France really was, until he returned home to New Zealand to see his family.
The 25-year-old created a small piece of New Zealand cycling history, when he led the King of the Mountains classification at the sport’s most famous race and earned the right to don the iconic polka dot jersey for two stages.
It was great publicity for himself and his Pro Continental team, Wanty Groupe Gobert, who relied on a wildcard entry just to make the start line.
But his moment in the spotlight was short-lived, quietly dropping down the classification after the fifth stage. Smith threw his collection of polka dot jerseys in his suitcase and turned his attention to completing the demanding three-week race. He went on to finish 97th.
‘‘It was strange at the time because it was such a rush,’’ Smith said. ‘‘You were wearing the polka dot jersey then after three days it’s over and you put them in your bag and leave them there.
‘‘The next goal is then to finish the Tour and you get home to Girona and you almost forget about it.’’
But Smith said the jerseys have been hot property ever since he arrived back in Auckland, where he is currently preparing for his first full season on the World Tour after earning a twoyear contract with MitcheltonScott.
‘‘I do have one hanging up in my lounge but it’s not until you come back home and I haven’t seen my parents and brother in a long time and they are really interested to see it and you get the memories back again. I think back now and it was a pretty special time,’’ he said.
‘‘To be honest I didn’t realise how big of a deal it was. I knew it was quite an achievement but the domino effect back in NZ and how many people now recognise you and your name and things like it, it was pretty enormous. It’s pretty mind blowing.
‘‘You think wearing it for one day is enough but then you kind of get a bit greedy and it did feel a bit sad when I lost it. It does make you more hungry to achieve more or to get it again, maybe for a week, or to get another jersey or a stage win.’’
If Smith’s intention was to gain more exposure by wearing the polka dot jersey, it certainly worked. His exploits in France caught the attention of numerous World Tour teams, with Mitchelton-Scott even making an offer for his services towards the final week of the event. It was Julian Dean, Mitchelton-Scott’s sporting director and one of New Zealand’s greatest ever riders, who made contact.
‘‘I remember watching him at the Tour de France and being one of the leadout men in the world. It was really cool when you get a message from the likes of him saying he’s really looking forward to working with you for the next couple of years.
‘‘I did look up to him and even now it’s still cool to be in contact