2011 season roundup - Courteney Lowe

Courteney Lowe - far right - and team  ©Rachel Byus

Aug 25th, 11. Kiwi international Courteney Lowe shares her international season roundup.

After racing the NZCT Tour of New Zealand as part of the New Zealand team, 20 year old Courteney Lowe spent the international season racing in the US with team FCS Elite Team based in Texas.

In May she rode herself into the Young Rider jersey in the opening stage time trial of the Joe Martin Stage Race, an NRC event.

She backed up that performance with great rides in the road stages. Her consistent top finishes saw her keep the Best Young Rider title throughout the tour.

In another race, Lowe was ahead of the peloton in what was about to be a successful break when she was involved in a crash.

With a puncture and a broken spoke, and the peloton only a minute behind, the Kiwi picked up her bike and ran the 300m to the finish line to place 6th . That's Kiwi ingenuity.

Lowe enjoyed her international season and is hoping to secure a contract for 2012 -  although she hopes not to be based in Texas' 40 degree heat next year .

International season round up - Courteney Lowe

Best ride or result of the season?

Probably the Joe Martin Stage race. It was an awesome experience and I had a great time, getting 6th overall and 1st young rider.

My best ride would probably have to be the first race over there, a small stage race in Fayeteville, Texas. I managed to break away by myself and win it by 10min (thanks to the team).

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

Definitely smores, and also the Liberty Classic. Most amazing atmosphere and it was really cool to see so many Kiwis finishing so high up or helping their teammates to finish right up there. It shows the strength we have for such a small country.

[Ed: For those that don't know; smores are a campfire treat of roasted marshmallow plus a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of biscuit. YUM!

Biggest lesson learnt this season?

The importance of team racing and that helping your teammate win is just as exciting as you winning yourself.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?

Yes, I believe I did. Not as much on the results side but, coming away having loved cycling even more (which I did not think was possible) and knowing all the hard work is well worth it.

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?

I was back at the start of July and am now based in both Tauranga and Hamilton. I am studying in Hamilton and then am home for the weekend for a change of scenery (and some home cooked meals/get washing done etc)

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

I certainly did not enjoy much, it was much too cold, however it was really good to catch up with friends and family (and dogs) and my own bed.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?

Jet planes!

What are your goals for the NZ summer season of racing?

I am hoping to get in a bit of the local racing and just generally focus on the Elite Nationals and Wellington tour in 2012.

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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