Cycling: Track veteran steers course to open road

Westley Gough.

Two-time Olympic track cycling medallist Westley Gough is heading for the road.

Gough has retired from track riding and is turning his attention to road racing, having been a part of the national track squad for a decade.

The 27-year-old from Waipukurau has joined the Australian-based Budget Forklifts team which competes in the national series across the Tasman.

"I believe now is the right time for me to step aside and focus on some new goals, both on and off the bike," he said.

Gough was junior world champion in the team pursuit in 2005 and won two world championship silver medals in the team and individual pursuit in 2006.

He was part of the team that won bronze medals in the team pursuit at both the Beijing and London Olympics - but a personal highlight may have been the bronze medal won in the IP at the world champs in Melbourne three years ago.

He beat strong favourite, Australian Rohan Dennis, a double world champion and world one-hour record holder, on his home track, pegging back a 1.5s deficit.

The name Gough will not be lost to track riding - his cousin Regan was part of the NZ team which won the team pursuit gold medal at the world championships in Paris in February.