KEY POINTS:
Hayden Roulston's Olympic preparations received a further boost when he won the opening stage of the Tour des Deux-Sevres in France today.
Roulston, competing with the New Zealand track squad, rode clear in a solo breakaway in the 160km stage from Baker to Saint-Amand-sur-Sevre in the north west of France.
The Ashburton rider, who will compete in the individual pursuit, team pursuit and madison in Beijing, finished 25 seconds clear of four chasers with a further 45 seconds back to the peloton on the first day of the four-stage event.
The tour finishes on Monday.
- NZPA
