2010 season roundup - Taylor Gunman

Aug 28th, 10. Taylor Gunman shares his thoughts on his short but intense international season of racing in the United States of America.

In May when fellow Kiwi Patrick Bevin announced he was leaving Rubicon Orbea to join with Bissell Pro Cycling, 19 year old Taylor Gunman was quick to see an opportunity.  

Within 24 hours of the announcement, Gunman had made contact with the Rubicon Orbea team managers and was making plans to fly from Auckland to the US.

Little did he know that when he got there he would soon start a 2,500km road trip across the States for a series of races.  

Gunman blogged for RoadCycling.co.nz along the way as he raced big tours such as Mt Hood, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Tour of America's Dairyland, Tour of Delta and the Cascade Cycling Classic.

2010 international season round-up

Best ride or result of the season?
My best ride for the season would be in the final stage of Nature Valley at the Still Water Criterium.

To best describe the course - it was like having the NZ Elite National's course compressed to a 1mile circuit. It had a nasty steep climb littered with people going crazy as we tried to ride past them.

I stuck it out to the end and placed 11th, but it was more the ground I made up in the young riders classification and amateurs jersey where I finished 3rd in U23 and 2nd in amateur classification.

Next races / goals before the end of the international season, if any?
I am off to do Tour of Tasmania with BikeNZ. We have got a great team of guys heading over so it will be good to go over and make some noise.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?
Off the bike it would be road tripping with the guys all over the States, but also our visit to Whistler where we checked out the winter Olympic scene and saw a whole lot of bears!!

On the bike there were lots of great experiences from riding the hills in Salt Lake City to the crowds who turned out at races like Boise Twilight. It's great seeing all the people coming out and supporting the events. It helps to create an amazing atmosphere at these events.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
At first I accepted my fate and missed my opportunity to go overseas. But when the chance came to ride with Rubicon Orbea I was excited and just wanted to do the best I could. I was lucky to go over with good form so I was able to come away with some good results. Too many podiums and no wins! But that has just stoked the fire for next year's goals.

When are you back in NZ, and where will you be?
I've been home three weeks now and living back home on the sunny North Shore. No place like home.

What's the thing you like most about coming home after a season on the road?
I was away for only two months and it seems I missed the core of the bad weather. But the best thing is coming home and seeing friends and family. Meeting the new additions to the Gunman Squad has been cool.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
I've had fun eating anything and everything Kiwi including a big steak, and the odd pie. It's all gone down a treat.

What are you goals for the NZ summer season of racing?
My main targets this year are NZ tours, more specifically Southland and the Tour of Wellington. Should be a box of fun there. Southland is shaping up to be a good race with the bigger teams and the big names that come with it.

Gunman's blogs from his US season

• Insights from the Kiwis racing in America
• Part 2: Insights from the Kiwis racing in the US
• Part 3: Insights from the Kiwis racing in the US

All season round-ups to date: Emma Crum, Ruaraidh McLeod, Michael Torckler, Tom David,  Daniel Barry, Patrick Bevin,  Wade Mangham, Taylor Gunman,  George Bennett, Jason Allen.