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Follow Tim Gudsell In the Giro D'Italia at http://www.cyclingnews.com.
  
Te Awamutu's favourite son has made it.
New Zealand cycling is abuzz with excitement with the news that Tim Gudsell has secured a lucrative two year professional contract with top French team FDJ (Francaise des Jeux). BikeNZ high performance director Mike Flynn says it’s unbelievably sensational news from a New Zealand Cycling point of view. “Tim could be a leader of a new generation of New Zealand cyclists who can make it into professional cycling in Europe. “Now that he has secured a contract, he has the opportunity to set a standard which will hopefully make the rest of the pro ranked teams look at New Zealand cyclists in a better light.” Flynn says Gudsell was a credit not only to his family but to New Zealand Cycling. Having joined the ranks of a professional cyclist, the Te Awamutu 22-year-old gains automatic entry into all World Cups and Tours. He can now concentrate solely on consolidating his position as a professional cyclist. The only other New Zealander currently riding professionally in Europe is former Te Awamutu Sports Club member Julian Dean. “If Tim ends up anywhere near as good as Julian Dean, I’m sure he’d be stoked,” says Flynn. Gudsell arrived back in the country yesterday. One of the first to congratulate him was his mentor, coach Graham Bunn. “Graham’s been invaluable. He’s been there right from the beginning. He’s the one I turn to when things get tough.”
Tim in his new kit (for now) and a new bike and look at the support from the team.
 The typically French Française des Jeux team now has a long history of English speaking riders from various countries like the US (Chris Horner), Great-Britain (Max Sciandri and Bradley Wiggins), Australia (Brad McGee, Baden Cooke, Matt Wilson, Mark Renshaw) and South Africa (Ian McLeod). New Zealand was missing on the list. But a Kiwi will line up soon with the four-leaf clover white jersey: Tim Gudsell, 22, from the national track team, will be a stagiaire from August 1st on and his first pro race will be Paris-Corrèze (Aug. 2-3).
Gudsell caught the attention of Yvon Madiot – Marc's brother – when he won the U23 Tour du Haut-Anjou in early April under the colours of his French club VS Albi, where he pairs with the up and coming sprinter Stéphane Poulhiès. Poulhiès will start his own pro career with AG2R, also on August 1st.
 "I'm delighted to be given a chance," Gudsell said, while riding the Tour des Deux-Sèvres in west of France. "I'll do my best to get a pro contract after that. My 2006 season almost started in October last year because of the track commitments, but fortunately I've had a nice break with a couple of other New Zealanders in June. I'm fresh and motivated for what's coming up now."
And with Finnish and Swedish national champions riding alongside him there is alot for Tim learn from some obvious class within his own team
With a recent 9th placing in the Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre Trophée Fenioux puts him in good stead with this team and with some others that may be looking at Tim too. | 
