LEESTON LIGHTHOUSE (LLH)

201 Brett Grieve (O35) 202 Yancey Arrington (O35) 203 Brendon Vercoe (O35) 204 Adam Heart (O35) 205 Dominic van Berlo (O35) 206 Alex Mann (O35)

The Leeston Lighthouse team is composed of a group of masters riders from Christchurch, with Brett Grieve as the most experienced member, having completed three editions of the Tour of Southland. As the reigning Masters 2 National Road Race Champion, Grieve clearly has some form, but he admits that last having raced the Tour in 2018 he might have forgotten how tough the event can be. Yancey Arrington is a transplant from the USA who started out as a triathlete, but soon decided that cycling was more for him, enjoying cyclocross, mountain biking, gravel, and time trial, but focussing his competitive energy on road racing. Brendon Vercoe will be making his Tour debut, but given that by his own admission he does not like racing in the cold, Southland may hold a surprise or two. Adam Heard is originally from the UK, but now well established as a masters racer in his adopted home. Dominic van Berlo has been racing for the last two years on and off the road, and counts himself fortunate to have a very supportive partner who helps with motivation, nutrition, and finding time to train. Alex Mann is the oldest member of the team, and has been cycling for over 25 years. A keen member of Leeston Cycling Club, he has won the club’s season series twice. Riding the Tour of Southland has been a bucket list item for Mann, and one that he will be able to tick off as he makes his debut this year.