Cycling: Flynn plans to scale Olympian cycling heights

Michael Flynn refuses to look back. Even if, as New Zealand Cycling's high performance director, he readily acknowledges what has been an outstanding year for his sport.

Just as quickly - after paying due recognition to Rebecca Spence and now Cameron Cole, as the latest additions to New Zealand's growing list of UCI World Champions - he turns to what maybe better to come.

In Rotorua Flynn said between eight and 10 young cyclists had been identified as potential "and successful" Olympians.

Declining to name them Flynn said: "It is a small numbers game. That has been recognised by Sparc with their investment into elite sport and in looking at events in which New Zealanders can do well.

"We put forward a high performance plan aimed at success at Olympic Games, world championships and the Commonwealth Games and going into professional careers. We like to talk about a legacy in our sport with London [the 2012 Olympics] and beyond."

In doing that, Flynn singles out Rotorua-based under-23 cross-country mountain-biker Clinton Avery.

"When you look at it, you realise a number of things," said Flynn. "Clinton finished 27th. He was probably 15kg heavier than the 26 riders who finished ahead of him.

"Maybe his future is elsewhere. I can see him as a very talented one-day road race cyclist. He could go on to be a Tour de France rider but there is a lot to be discussed before anything like that might happen.

"He has a big motor [heart] and some have successfully switched from mountain biking to the road."

Flynn says money alone will not put New Zealanders on the podium.

"It's more about getting the right people - on and off the bike - and the right structure," said Flynn, who cited the base Cycling New Zealand has in France.

"It has given New Zealanders the opportunity to see what it is like to compete and train in the best environment. The talent, across all disciplines, in New Zealand is quite incredible.

"For that we have to look at people like Sarah Ulmer, Vanessa Quin and the others who have got to the top. The younger cyclists coming through know what they have to do to match them."

Having Sparc money enables Bike NZ to surround the best athletes with the best people, he says, pointing to Ulmer and her support team as an example.

"At the 2008 Olympics, New Zealand can select 31 cyclists in 18 events. Realistically, we are not going to win or even have cyclists competitive in all 18 but I'm sure we will compete strongly in some.

"I think it is unbelievable in a sport like this what has been achieved. It shows just what we can do - and must look to continue doing."