Cycling: Win will enhance Dean's ranking

WELLINGTON - New Zealander Julian Dean enhanced his cycling career on three counts yesterday with victory in the six-day Tour of Wellington.

As well as securing an important win on home soil in good international company and collecting valuable international ranking points, it would be a significant boost to the newcomer when he returned to his US Postal Services team.

Dean, of Waihi in the northern Bay of Plenty, is fighting to establish himself in the team that will be based in Spain.

"This will be a testing year for me to see whether I have what it takes," Dean, 24, said.

"It will be my first time in Europe as a fulltime professional as I look to develop my career on the road."

Later this year he will return to the track when he joins the New Zealand team in France to prepare for the world championships in Berlin in October.

He is seeking a time good enough to qualify for the Sydney Olympics next year in the individual pursuit.

Dean led the tour after finishing third in the Masterton criterium on Wednesday and successfully defended his position over the remaining seven stages.

He was only seriously challenged by Giant team-mate Brendon Vesty, of Hastings, on Saturday's gut-wrenching stage up Hawkins hill. Vesty won it and closed the gap to within 39 seconds of Dean in second place.

Hampered by an upset stomach yesterday, Vesty was content to ride for second overall, and he finished 1m 18s down.

The pair generally worked well together and Dean made a point of thanking Vesty in his victory speech.

Vesty has been named in the New Zealand team for this month's Tour of Taiwan. He will then join a new team in Switzerland. - NZPA