2011 Season roundup - Brett Tivers

Brett Tivers ©Garneau Club Chaussures

Oct 5th, 11. With almost a dozen victories to his name, it is no wonder Kiwi international Brett Tivers considers his first season racing in Canada/USA a success.

After a couple of seasons racing in Australia, where injuries hampered his success, the 29 year old set off to join team Garneau Club Chaussures in Canada.

He started the season with a solo win in the Tour of the Battenkill, USA's answer to Paris Roubaix. At the time he said, "The harder and more draining the course, the better I seem to go."

It was a mantra which saw him win criteriums, time trials, one day races, a sprint jersey and earn Top 10 GC placings in stage races across Canada and the USA.

While he likes hard courses, Tivers said the key to his success this season was having fun.

"I am having a really good time over here, so as the saying goes - when you are happy you ride happy ... and the results just follow."

2011 international season roundup

Best ride or result of the season?
There were a few that were good like the 9 lap to go solo win at American Dairyland Crit Series, and the results at Tour de Beauce but it would have been the win at Tour of Battenkill as this was the 1st race I did here in the USA this season in one of the biggest USA classics and gave me a good confidence boost going into the remainder of the season.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?
It would be living in Quebec through summer. It's got such an amazing unique French Culture and a mint summer atmosphere.

I did a couple of rides through Parc la Mauricie, a national park, which was pretty choice too.

Biggest lesson learnt this season?
Pretty much have the confidence that the hard work in base training will put you into good steed for the race season, and to be patient and relax during a race as results will come a lot easier that way.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
Yeah for sure, my goal coming here was to simply have fun and do some racing in the USA and a win would be good. So I ticked all those boxes.

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?
I am heading home this Saturday and will be back in the mighty Naki, based in New Plymouth.

What's the thing you like most about coming back to NZ after a season of racing?

The beach for sure, I missed the surf aye, oh and good to catch up with family and friends.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
I'm going to say a good coffee with a chocolate fish I get at the Inglewood MacFarlanes. Apart from that for sure Jet Planes lollies and a good Cookie Time. Mind you I have been introduced to ginger cookies here that are pretty dam fine.

What are your goals for the NZ summer season of racing?
Tour of Southland with Share the Road is a big goal this year. Unsure of what my NZ racing schedule will be like after that.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?
Nothing 100% confirmed yet but I will be looking at definitely racing in the USA next year.

All 2011 international season roundups - Chris Macic, Patrick Bevin, Jeremy Yates, Hamish Elley-Brown, Josh Atkins, Joe Cooper, Michael Vink, Shane Archbold, Louis Wright, Myron Simpson, Sam Lindsay, George Bennett, Kieran Hambrook, Brett Tivers, Emma Crum, Shem Rodger, Daniel Barry, Mark Langlands, James McCoy, Glen Chadwick, Kate Chilcott, Louis Crosby, Scott Lyttle, Courteney Lowe ...

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