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Israel-Premier Tech/Twitter
Southland’s Corbin Strong after winning the first stage of the Tour of Britain in 2022. (File photo)
Southland professional cyclist Corbin Strong is targeting the next two stages of the 2023 Tour de France for his best placing in the event.
Seventeen of the 21 stages of the world’s most famous cycling race have been completed, with Strong’s best finish to date being ninth place in stage 8.
His Invercargill-based father Alan Strong said he talked to his son on Thursday morning and his legs were feeling good.
This was shown when on stage 17 – perhaps the toughest stage of the tour with more than 5000m elevation – Strong “gave it a nudge” and stuck with the yellow jersey rider’s bunch until 62km to go, his father said.
An Israel Premier Tech rider competing in his first Tour de France, Strong was seen as a sprinter in his team, meaning he goes for stage wins on the flatter stages rather than chase the overall general classification.
Alan Strong said his son was targeting the next two stages for top finishes as the terrain suited him.
Thursday night’s stage [NZT] is flat and Friday night’s stage [NZT] has some hills without being mountainous, his father said.
“His ninth place was on one of the flat stages, but he likes a few hills in it which is the stage on Friday night.
“He will have the opportunity. The team will do their best to position him close to the front of the bunch [for the frantic final few kilometres of racing].
“He is confident he can improve on his ninth place.”
The three-week tour was the longest of Strong’s career and he was “loving it”, his father said.
“He seems to be handling it pretty well, he is obviously suited to these long tours.”
He added: “Challenging of course, it’s the biggest cycling event in the world, the mountain stages have tested him.”
Strong had told him he was amazed at the number of Kiwis in France supporting the tour.
Alan said there had been “quite a few sleepless nights” in his household near Invercargill.
“It’s very hard to tear yourself away from the telly.”
Strong won a stage of the Tour of Britain in 2022, and before the 2023 Tour de France began, his former coach Sid Cumming said he was capable of becoming the first Kiwi to win an individual stage in the event.
With four stages to go, Strong is currently in 98th position out of 154 riders in general classification, 4 hours and 8 minutes behind the leader Jonas Vingegaard.
The Southlander has previously won gold medals on the track at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
The Tour de France finishes in Paris on July 23.
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