QUALITY FOODS SOUTHLAND (QFS)

91 Michael Torckler (O35) 92 Dan Gardner

93 Boris Clark

94 Elliot Crowther (O35) 95 Tyler Burbage

96 Lucas Murphy (U23)

Leading the Quality Foods Southland team will be Michael Torckler, a rider with a rich history on the Tour of Southland. Prior to his break from cycling, Torckler recorded stage wins up Coronet Peak and an overall podium finish in the Tour of Southland, as well as podiums at the National Championships road race, and taking out the King of the Mountains at the Tour of Utah. Dan Gardner spent some time racing for continental teams in North America and Belgium, and will now be putting that experience to good use at the Tour. Boris Clark is back for his fourth Tour, and with top ten finishes up Coronet Peak and Bluff Hill in the past, Clark should be looking forward to the climbs again. Elliot Crowther is making his return to the Tour after an extended break, during which the US-based Southlander focussed on his business pursuits and family. Prior to that, he took part in four Tours, and also won New Zealand titles in the points race, scratch race, and road race as an age grouper and U23 rider. Add to that some podium finishes in the NRS in Australia, along with racing in Europe, and Crowther has a lot of experience to fall back on. Tyler Burbage will be making his Tour debut, and will be hoping that a podium placing in the Tour of Waikato can translate to some good rides in Southland. Lucas Murphy will also be making his debut, after getting his first taste of European racing earlier this year.