Eighteen months from the Tokyo Olympics, the New Zealand track cycling team has happily picked up Australia's star discard.
Last year, Commonwealth Gold medallist Jordan Kerby was unceremoniously dumped from the Aussie squad, so he crossed the ditch and will race in his new 'home' event at Cambridge on Friday.
The 26-year old felt like he was blindsided by Cycling Australia, after his success in the green and gold.
"I got a cold call in June, after the Comm Games, and they just said 'you're out' essentially," he told Newshub. "You're not going to be good enough for Tokyo."
Despite being the 2017 individual pursuit world champion and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the team pursuit, he was surplus to requirements.
"I wouldn't accept that, I think you can't predict something two years out like that... I found it quite an unfair decision."
With his career in limbo, Kerby wasn't sure whether his stint on the bike was over, but thanks to his Kiwi-born mum, he had a new path in his sights.
"Yeah, I had it in my head straight away that I wanted to head to New Zealand, I had the heritage."
He's now part of the country's team-pursuit outfit and Australia's loss is New Zealand's gain.
"He always wants to get better and he's always challenging the other guys, and challenging myself to find that extra bit of work or that extra rep that could push the team to the next level," explains coach Matt Shallcrass.
Shallcrass didn't have any reservations about welcoming him into the squad.
"He's a guy that can contribute positively and lift the standard of the team, and the guys that want to compete against him for the spots will have to lift their game."
Kerby admits he's still adjusting to New Zealand life and some of its staples.
"I'm not sure what a pineapple lump is… I've had those 'Juicies' - you know, those little ice blocks, everyone's mad for a Juicie over here," he laughs.
But he has been doing his homework.
"I've been on Youtube, listening to the national anthem the last few weeks, but it seems a bit difficult for me to remember."
With the world descending on Cambridge for this weekend's Track World Cup event, Jordan Kerby feels right at home wearing the silver fern.
Newshub.
