New Zealand — From hospital bed to Beijing.

 

That’s the story of the season for Team Type 1’s Glen Chadwick, who will represent New Zealand next month at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

 

The accomplishment is remarkable considering the 31-year-old was hospitalized for several weeks in February after doctors discovered he had the Epstein-Barr virus in his spine. The virus causes mononucleosis and Chadwick apparently had been showing effects of the disease since last December without knowing it.

 

Chadwick becomes the second bicycle racer from Team Type 1 to earn a trip to the Olympics. Moises Aldape learned last month that he will represent Mexico.

 

“It sure does feel awesome to become an Olympian,” Chadwick said. “I have represented New Zealand at the world championships before, but this is a sportman’s dream. It comes once every four years, so there are fewer chances to go.”

 

Joining Chadwick on the Kiwi road team will be Tim Gudsell (Française des Jeux) and Julian Dean (Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30). At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Dean finished 15th. New Zealand's best finish in the Olympic road race is fourth place by Bruce Biddle in Munich in 1972.

 

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said Chadwick will work unselfishly for Dean, much like he has this season – and under Beamon’s previous squad, Navigators Insurance.

 

“It’s a tribute to Glen’s individual ability and his teamwork ability that he got the selection,” Beamon said. “I can’t think of a guy who would be a better teammate than Glen. From our perspective, he’s been one of those guys who has done an incredible amount of work for the team.”

 

Chadwick has experienced his own success this season, winning two stages and the overall title at the inaugural Tour of Arkansas in May. In 2007, he was New Zealand’s national time trial champion.

 

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad begin Aug. 8.