Amateur cyclist Richie Thomson competed in races throughout New Zealand during the and was part of the national team. In 1961 Thomson became the national champion in the road race, competing at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia the following year. In 1964 he travelled to England where he rode in the Milk Race, finishing second on the third stage in Cardiff. Back in New Zealand he enjoyed success at the Dulux Tour Six Day race, winning the mountains classification, in addition to finishing on the podium on three stages. Thomson returned to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1966 in Kingston, Jamaica, finishing 14th in the road race. Two years later he and his brother Des both competed in the road race and team time trial at the Mexico City Olympics.
New Zealand