Bike NZ banking on in-form Julian Dean

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Bike NZ is hopeful New Zealand's leading road cyclist, Julian Dean, will be able to hold his outstanding form long enough to be a contender in both the world championships and Commonwealth Games on back-to-back Sundays in early October.

Dean is taking a break after unprecedented success in notching three podium finishes on the Tour de France before turning his focus to the world championships in Melbourne on October 3, seven days before the Games race in New Delhi.

Bike NZ has not yet confirmed squads for either competition, but Dean had indicated a desire to race in both.

"I haven't spoken to him since he finished the Tour de France but he has indicated his interest," Bike NZ high performance director Mark Elliott said.

"You would have to say with his presence in the peloton at the moment, he'd be a sure candidate.

"I'll catch up with him in the next week or so.

"We'd like to think that's a possibility, that he could race both events, but it comes down to him making sure he's in the right shape physically and mentally to take that on.

"He knows what he's capable of and he won't want to show up to either of those races as a spectator."

The 27-strong Kiwi cycling team for the Games is expected to be named in the next week or so.

Officials could name up to six men's road riders but, given the strength of the sprint and track endurance riders, there could be just three or four road specialists.

Dean, Hayden Roulston and Greg Henderson would all be genuine contenders, particularly at the Commonwealth Games.

- © Fairfax NZ News