Cycling: Dean, Roulston joining the big guns

New Zealanders Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston will race for two of the world's most powerful professional road teams in the Tour de Langkawi which begins in Malaysia today.

The 10-stage race is particularly important for Roulston, who makes his debut for the United States-based Discovery Channel team.

He will want to make a good impression after just two weeks of training with the team - formerly called US Postal - whose talisman is six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, although he will not be competing in this tour.

Roulston's contract was in some jeopardy last month following a court appearance over an incident in a Christchurch bar last June. He was found guilty on two counts of assault while celebrating his selection in the New Zealand Olympic cycling team.

He appealed against both the conviction and sentence and he was welcomed into the Discovery Channel team's Californian training base.

While Roulston's role is likely to be a support for more hardened riders like American Tom Danielson, the 2003 Tour de Langkawi winner, Dean could have a more prominent role with Credit Agricole.

Dean, who was unhappy with his 15th placing at the Athens Olympics last year, recently extended his contract with the French giants for two more years.

He has stated his desire to be more of a rider who others work for, depending on circumstances.

The Tour de Langkawi has attracted its best field since its inception 10 years ago, benefiting from top teams expanding their rosters to accommodate the new participation requirements set by world cycling body UCI.

The 20 teams of seven riders begin with a 107km road stage on the island of Langkawi before moving on to tougher stages on the mainland. The tour finishes on February 6 in Kuala Lumpur.

- NZPA