The New Zealand cycling team will head to the Paris Olympics with arguably more potential and expectation than ever before.
Headlined by world champions Ellesse Andrews and Aaron Gate, 16 road and track riders have been named, with cycling a strong chance to be our most-successful sport at the Games, after a dark period in the programme.
After all they've been through, the shedding of tears is understandable in moments like these.
"This organisation copped so much flack and they've turned themselves around like nothing I've ever seen," said sprinter Sam Dakin.
Following the 2022 Heron Review and subsequent reset of the high performance programme, Los Angeles 2028, rather than Paris, was penciled in as a priority. Cycling NZ has now taken out the pen and proved that's not the case.
"Maybe two or three years ago, we wouldn't have been predicting this much potential, but not surprised," said high performance director Ryan Hollows. "When athletes get left to do what they need to do, and do it well and are well supported, good things happen."
The Olympic team has already crushed the Commonwealth and won world titles. On the road, there are world tour regulars, while on the track, Dakin is the lone men’s sprinter.
Keirin world champion Andrews is the familiar face of the women's sprint and, after a shock silver three years ago, she now has a massive target on her back.
"Mentally, I'm going to be approaching the race in the same way as if I didn't have a target on my back, making sure I go through all of my processes and approach racing with a mindset," she said.
Add to that, a world-leading women’s endurance programme, and a men's team with omnium silver medallist Campbell Stewart returning and looking to make amends from their team pursuit crash at Tokyo.
Points race world champion Aaron Gate, who is back for more hurt at age 33.
"I've got unfinished business after Tokyo and the disappointment there, I'll be going to Paris all guns blazing," he said.
With all that comes pressure.
Often in the shadow of the rowers down the road at Cambridge, they've now ridden their bikes into the spotlight.
"We're not out to do damage, but we're out to bring some extra baggage home," said Hollows.
There may be a few more tearful moments yet.
