World Class Cyclist Switches to New Zealand

BikeNZ’s chances of success at the Commonwealth Games have received a significant boost with the news that one of the world’s best riders, Linda Villumsen has secured New Zealand citizenship.

Villumsen, who finished third in the time trial at this year’s world championships and is a past winner of the women’s Tour to France, has also been given the all-clear to compete for New Zealand after the key authorities waived any stand down period.

The 24-year-old Danish-born cyclist, who rides for the Columbia Highroad professional team, decided to switch her allegiances after living and training in New Zealand for several years.

“I first came to New Zealand to go to school and I fell in love with the place. So I have returned back here nearly every year since,” Villumsen said. “This feels like home and it is special now to be a citizen here.”

Villumsen received her citizenship recently and has now been given clearance from the world cycling body, the UCI as well as the Danish Cycling Federation.

BikeNZ High Performance Director, Mark Elliott said Villumsen is a major boost for their road cycling programme.

“Linda is a world class rider, one of the best prospects in the sport,” Elliott said. “She is also a fantastic person who will fit into our programme very easily.

“Add Linda to the likes of Cath Cheatley, who was 10th in the world championships this year, potentially Rosara Joseph and a number of other riders with professional experience and we will have a powerful team for the Commonwealth Games.”

Villumsen enjoyed a superb 2009 season after winning the Danish road and time trial titles, a bronze at the world championship time trial and a series of top performances on the road including overall classification victory in the Thuringen Rundfahrt. She was fifth in the road race and 13th in the time trial at the Beijing Olympics.

She originally came to New Zealand as a 17 year old primarily for schooling, staying with a family in Howick who have become her second family.

“I was not even riding then. I had given it up but I got interested again and had my bike sent over,” Villumsen said.

She helped Pakuranga College to success at secondary school level and also competed in triathlon and athletic events.

Villumsen continued to return to New Zealand after showing strong form as a junior cyclist before a breakthrough year in 2006 when she won the Danish national road and time trial titles, the European time trial and the Women’s Tour de France for her new Buitenpoort – Flexpoint Team. She moved to T-Mobile in 2007 and then to Columbia High Road in 2008, recently signing for a further two years.

While she is based in Italy for her racing season, Villumsen will continue to return to New Zealand, to the country she now calls home.

She will make her debut in this country as a New Zealand citizen in the RaboPlus national road championships in Christchurch on 9 January.

Photo:  Linda Villumsen on her way to victory in the Thuringen Rundfahrt race in Germany this year for Team Columbia Highroad.