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All Kiwis love to stick with Australians, but for Jordan Kerby the motivation rises to a whole new level.
The 28-year-old was announced on Wednesday as part of New Zealand’s 15-member track cycling team for next year’s Olympics in Tokyo, where he will try to prove some people wrong by participating in the team search for his adoptive nation.
You see, Kerby was born and raised in Brisbane, he was a promising rider who traversed the Australian system, won junior world titles, wore a rainbow world championship jersey in the singles chase in 2017, and then was part of the team chase lineup. winner of the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018.
Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Jordan Kerby, left, was part of the pursuit lineup for the Australian team that won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
But then came the shocking news that they no longer wanted him in the Australian setup.
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* Australian cycling world champion Jordan Kerby shifts allegiance to New Zealand
“I just got a phone call out of nowhere saying, ‘You’re off the show,'” she recalled. Things at the Avantidrome in Cambridge on the day of his Olympic appointment.
“They just said it wouldn’t be good enough for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Without further reasoning and unable to accept that as an answer, Kerby “pulled out my Kiwi passport” (her mother is from New Zealand) and contacted Cycling New Zealand’s High Performance Director Martin Barras about the possibility of crossing the ditch. .
Kerby admitted that it was “quite an arduous process” with the IOC and UCI, one in which he had to withdraw from a couple of world championships, but it was worth it.
“I thought my career was over and New Zealand saved it for me.
Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images
Despite winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Jordan Kerby thought his cycling career was over.
“It was definitely a big change, and I didn’t take it lightly. But at the same time, it is a decision for which I am very grateful, because they have led me to a sporting environment that is actually much more enjoyable.
“It is very useful to talk about what New Zealand people are like, because if I think that if I had moved to many other countries, the reception might not have been so pleasant. But the boys welcomed me with open arms ”.
After a decent run for the silver medal in the team chase at this year’s world championships in February in Berlin, where Australia came in fifth, does Kerby now want to hit those guys at the big tournament in Tokyo next? year?
“Oh yeah, absolutely,” he said.
“Part of me says, ‘Well, I just want to show you that I’m good enough.’ And we have already been faster than any Australian in the team search. So I think it’s probably enough to say that I deserve to be there.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith presents Jordan Kerby with a fern during the track cycling team announcement at the Avantidrome on Wednesday.
“There is a bit of momentum to do that. But my main drive is actually to meet the guys on the team. “
Kerby will be joined in the team chase by Aaron Gate, Regan Gough, Campbell Stewart and Corbin Strong, with the world’s No. 2 ranked team seeking the best prospects for a New Zealand medal.
Gate is one of four runners who will compete in their third Olympics, with Ethan Mitchell, Rushlee Buchanan and Kaime Nielsen the others.
Mitchell lines up in the men’s sprint with former teammate Sam Webster and new Sam Dakin, who replaced Eddie Dawkins, who is now seeking a spot on the Winter Olympics bobsleigh team.
Nielsen returns after having a baby in 2018, and along with Buchanan, he has Olympic rookies Bryony Botha, Holly Edmonston, Jessie Hodges and Kirstie James as company on the women’s endurance team.
Ellesse Andrews is the only female sprinter, and Natasha Hansen announced last month that she would be taking a break from the sport.
TAKE A LOOK
New Zealand Track Cycling Team for the Tokyo Olympics:
Woman:
Resistance: Bryony Botha, Rushlee Buchanan, Holly Edmondston, Jessie Hodges, Kirstie James, Jaime Nielsen.
Pique: Ellesse Andrews.
Mens:
Resistance: Aaron Gate, Regan Gough, Jordan Kerby, Campbell Stewart, Corbin Strong.
Pique: Sam Dakin, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster.
Travel reservations: Callum Saunders (sprint), Nick Kergozou (endurance).
Non-traveling reservations: Jordan Castle, Tom Sexton, Michaela Drummond, Nicole Shields, Emily Shearman, Ally Wollaston (a rider who will be selected as a touring reserve next year).
