Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Olympic medallist Hayden Roulston is hoping to become just the third cyclist to claim a threepeat in New Zealand's premier road race, the demanding Tour of Southland which starts today.

Roulston, who has completed a successful comeback season on the professional tour in Europe, says he is fresh and motivated to chase his third win in a row when the six-day tour begins in Invercargill this morning with a prologue around Queens Park before the first stage to the top of Bluff Hill..

The 53rd edition of the Tour has attracted a record field of 125 riders, including 35 internationals from Australia, Germany, Belgium, United States, France and Malta.

Leading the international charge is American Floyd Landis, who made his comeback to professional cycling this year following a two year doping ban after he finished first in the 2006 Tour de France.

Roulston believes the competition will be the toughest yet as he looks to join the greats Tino Tabak and Bryan Fowler as three time winners of the Tour.

Roulston, who completed for the Cervelo Test Team but moves to Columbia Highroad next year, says he's fresh and eager after little racing in the back half of the season.

Roulston's ColourPlus team will have plenty of support from Beijing track medallists Jesse Sergent, who rode for Lance Armstrong's development team Trek Livestrong this year, and Timaru's Marc Ryan in their mix.