Cyclist Ben Johnstone in U17 New Zealand Junior Development Squad

Whangarei cyclist Ben Johnstone will line up in the prestigious DBR Australia 2011 Junior and Women's Canberra Tour on Friday as part of the Under-17 New Zealand Junior Development Squad.
The 14-year-old - a student at Pompallier College - had an exceptional start to what is his first year racing in the Under-17 boys grade.
Coached by his father, Ian, Johnstone completed the Te Awamutu Junior Tour in second overall for his age group and then at the Club Road Cycling Nationals in May, he was fourth in the Under-17 15km time trial. Johnstone also rode home with the bunch to a seventh place in the 66km Under-17 road race. These two race meetings were key selection events.
As part of the squad's build-up to the Tour of Canberra, Johnstone rode in the PowerCo Cycle Tour of Taranaki last month, where he charged home in sixth, among a field of 25.
Last week, Ben's sponsor Avanti Plus Whangarei's Paul Fancy surprised Johnstone by presenting him with a new Avanti bike worth over $12,000 to use for the Canberra tour and the rest of the season.
"We are very proud to support Ben as he strives to fulfil his dream. Even at 14 he is quickly developing into one of the best cyclists in Northland.
"I am sure one day he will ride in the Pro ranks, hopefully with the Avanti backed Pure Black Racing Team," Fancy said.
Johnstone's new bike is 1.5kg lighter than his current model.
Johnstone said he was grateful to all those who had helped fundraise for his trip and he was very excited about competing in Australia. The DBR Australia 2011 Junior and Women's Canberra Tour starts on Friday and ends on Sunday.