2011 Season roundup - Jason Christie

Jason Christie, U23 Leader at the Tour of Southland after TTT ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Nov 29th, 11. Current New Zealand U23 Time Trial Champion Jason Christie shares his 2011 international season update.

With a NZ title, three Kermesse wins in Belgium this year (all in one week), 6th place in the World Championships U23 time trial and many great support rides, 20 year old Christie is one of the quiet achievers of NZ cycling.

He spent this year's international season racing in Belgium with the NZ U23 Development Squad and the Marco Polo Cycling Team.

While the NZ team is full of track specialists, Christie has chosen to concentrate on his road career.

It was in May when he achieved his hat-trick of victories.

In the first race he was part of a successful breakaway which formed after just 20km. Christie eventually rode away from his companions for a solo win 2min ahead of the 2nd placed rider.

In the second race he spent over 20km trying to bridge to a breakaway group, was at first unsuccessful, but he tried again a little later and eventually caught them to then overtake a lone attacker on the finishing straight.

The third win was in heavy cross winds which Christie used to his advantage. He bridged across to a late break before he attacked his companions in the worst of the cross winds and rode hard in the gutter hoping they would not be able to follow - they could not, and Christie was able to sit up and enjoy his 3rd victory of the week.

Christie riding to 6th in the world ©Graham Watson

As well as local Belgium racing and a few U23 tours around Europe, Christie also had the opportunity to represent New Zealand in major events.

He raced alongside veteran Kiwi Julian Dean in the London Olympic Test event, got a Top 10 placing in the UCI 1.2 Chrono Champenois and competed in the World Championships.

Christie hoped to ride in both the road and time trial events at the UCI World Championships, but had to settle for putting all his energy into the time trial.

He was 12th through the first time check and worked his way to 9th fastest after the first lap at the 17.6km mark. He continued to lift his pace to improve to place 6th in the 35.2km.

He was pleased with his performance in tricky windy conditions.

"It was pretty good. I think it could have been a little bit better but I am happy with 6th in the World for U23s. I can't complain with that," Christie said at the time.

2011 International Season Round-Up

Best ride or result of the season?

6th at the World U23 Time Trial Championships

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

A small break in June off the bike to London for a few days with my sister. On the bike would be riding at the Worlds and also riding the London Olympic Test Event as both events had streets lined with people, unreal!

Biggest lesson learnt this season?

To take time off during illness, otherwise it can lead to a very long time trying to get well.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?

Yes and no. To win the National U23 TT champs and then place 6th at Worlds were highlights but more of these results would have been nice.

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

Canterbury

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

Just being around my family and the normality of NZ.

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

Home baking for sure.

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

Just to get back up to fitness after a lot of time relaxing.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?

We will see.

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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