Cycling: Roulston makes his return

New Zealander Roulston made his return to road cycling with a solid opening-stage ride in the Bayern Rundfahrt tour in Germany overnight (NZT).

Roulston has been sidelined for nearly six weeks by illness since his outstanding 10th placing at the Paris-Roubaix tour in France last month, forcing him to miss the Tour de Romandie and Tour of California for his HTC Columbia team.

Spaniard Ruben Perez-Moreno won today's 190km stage from Erding to Viechtach while Australian Leigh Howard was second and New Zealander Alex Meenhorst 13th.

Roulston rolled home safely near the back of the front bunch, bracing for the longest stage of the five day tour tomorrow, 200km from Viechtach to Bayreuth.

The Olympic track pursuit silver medallist is hoping to prove his fitness this week and in the Dauphine Libre starting in France on June 6 to ensure his selection for the Tour de France starting on July 3.

- NZPA