KEY POINTS:
Fresh from a career-best outing at the Tour de France, New Zealand cyclist Julian Dean is already looking forward with hope to a better display in next year's event.
Dean notched top 10 finishes in six stages of the 21-stanza tour, was ninth in the sprinters' standings and helped his Garmin Chipotle team to fifth overall in the team standings.
His best results were a fourth in the 14th stage and sixth in the final stage down cycling's "Avenue of Dreams", the Champs-Elysees.
Dean, 33, got his bike as high as fourth in the final charge on the Champs-Elysees last Sunday but faded away.
"I took a bit of a chance, went a little bit early on that stage but you never know what's going to happen especially in that sprint - it's always difficult after three weeks on the Tour," Dean told NZPA from his home-base in Ganida, southern Spain today.
He had really enjoyed this year's Tour.
Riding with his new team, after years as a support rider in Credit Agricole, he "had a bit more freedom this time and could take my own chances hence was able to secure some solid results".
"I never had opportunities for myself previously while riding for Credit Agricole as I had to work for Thor Hushovd.
" I am happy and satisfied that I did all I could with every opportunity I had but it would have been nice to have won something.
"(However) The Tour is one of the most competitive events in the world and it takes a lot for that to happen."
As wife, Carole, wrote on his website: "His objective was to win a stage which he didn't accomplish but let's be realistic - to win a sprint stage in the Tour without the support of a lead-out train is a huge task and one where luck is needed even if you have the strongest legs on the day.
"Although the win remained elusive, he was super consistent and that shows his class."
Dean said he had another year on contract with Garmin Chipotle and expected the team to go even better next time.
"The team are pretty happy with things and hopefully next year I get the same opportunities with the team.
"We probably performed above expectations this year - fifth on general classification and a number of top 10 results from the other guys, not just myself.
"Every time the team goes another year, you will be able to improve."
The Tour had lost some of its glitter because of the drugs scandals over the last three years, but Dean felt that it retained its prestige.
He had not noticed any drop off in the number of spectators lining the route and if anything observed that there were more Australian fans there because Cadel Evans, who eventually finished second, had been one of the pre-Tour favourites.
" I don't completely agree the Tour has lost glamour or prestige - it is still a big event, still world renowned.
"The great thing (about the race) is that nothing - drugs scandal or rider - is bigger than the Tour."
Dean next lines up in the Beijing Olympics road race when he leads the New Zealand team that also includes Tim Gudsell and Glen Chadwick into action on August 9.
- NZPA
