Dawkins supports Team NZ’S pedal power

New Zealand cycling star Eddie Dawkins believes Simon van Velthooven is the best man to help Team New Zealand.

The Southland rider backs the move to pedal power and the recruitment of 2012 London Olympic Games keirin bronze medallist van Velthooven ahead of this year’s America’s Cup in Bermuda.

‘‘For him and the way that they have incorporated the cycling into it, if you were to pick the best 30 second repetitive sprint rider in the world, it would be Simon van Velthooven,’’ Dawkins said.

‘‘So they have done really well in incorporating that. ’’egs are definitely going to last longer than arms in repeated exercise, so they have hit the nail on the head, bringing a cycling aspect into the sailing.’’

Dawkins was not targeted for the position on Team New Zealand and he has his sights set firmly on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games instead.

‘‘I am not sure what the go with it is and whether it is a super strength based thing or whether it is a repeatability exercise, but I have got big ambitions for Tokyo 2020, so until then my focus would be on the boards rather than on the water,’’ he said.

A trial run in the 50-foot catamaran in Auckland on Tuesday revealed the Kiwis have opted to use superior leg power rather than the traditional arm-power of the grinders which provide the hydraulic power for the massive wingsail.

The hydraulics power the systems for the wingsail and foils, with stored energy enabling continuous and stable flight under the new control systems being used this time around. Four cycling stations in each hull replace the traditional two grinding stations.

The move has received a sceptical response from Team New Zealand’s rivals Dean Barker who is now in charge of Team Japan and Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill.