By Penny Ydgren
One of the world’s best road cyclists has switched her allegiance to New Zealand.
Linda Villumsen is the Danish road cycling champion, and was third at this year’s time trial world champs.
Now that she is a Kiwi, she can focus on adding a Commonwealth Games medal to her list of achievements.
Villumsen fell in love with Auckland when she spent a year when she was 17.
After securing citizenship, she has switched her cycling allegiance here too.
“I’m really proud to be able to represent New Zealand now,” she says.
Even thought her Danish coach was furious with her decision, authorities have waived any stand down period.
“As New Zealand has a stronger team and a lot more riders to choose from, it’s going to be harder to get selected for these events,” Villumsen says.
But if her recent success is anything to go by, she won’t have too much trouble.
Villumsen holds two Danish titles, two European titles, was third at this year’s world champs and fifth and last year’s Olympics – and her move down under will open up even more doors.
“I’d say World Champs and Commonwealth Games is something that I would really like to do well in,” she says. “Commonwealth Games is something I wouldn’t have been able to participate in for Denmark, so it’s huge for me.”
Villumsen’s first chance to prove her ability on the New Zealand roads comes in next weekend at the New Zealand Championships.
From March until September, the time trial specialist will be based in Italy with road cycling team Columbia High Road.
But wherever she is competing, Villumsen says New Zealand will now always be her home.
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