2011 season roundup - Jeremy Yates

Yates up the Crown Range ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Nov 9th, 11. Jeremy Yates shares his season round-up. The 29 year old feels his solid season of overseas racing affected his recent domestic performances.

Yates spent the international season based in Slovenia and raced for a new Turkish team. He competed in many tours including the UCI 2.HC Tour of Turkey alongside pro-tour teams.

He had days in KOM jerseys, helped teammates to success, had more than a few 'almost' wins himself, and in August he crossed the line victorious for the first time in seven seasons racing overseas.  

Yates won a stage in the aptly named Tour of Victory.

He has been the undisputed King of the Mountains in NZ's domestic season for a few years now and it was no surprise it was on a mountain stage he took the victory.

The stage started with a 17km climb, followed shortly by another 8km climb. Yates won the KOM and held on in the very small select bunch until the end of the stage when he came around for the win.

Back in New Zealand, Yates, who placed 3rd in the NZ Elite Nationals in January, recently took on the double challenge of K2 and the PowerNet Tour of Southland.

For the past few years he has won both the gruelling K2 and the Queen stage of the tour, the Crown Range climb, however this year he had to settle for 2nd and 3rd respectively.

"The last few NZ races didn't go as well as they did for me last year," Yates told RoadCycling.co.nz today. "The main reason being how heavy this season away was.

"Definitely the formula for being good in November is having a bad season away, as I did last year. This year went a lot better and I finished the year motivated but tired.

"Now it's time to rest up, go back to the drawing board, get some goals together and put a plan into action!"

2011 International Season Round-Up

Yates in his team international team's kit

Best ride or result of the season?
Tour of Turkey was the hardest race of my life and I loved every minute of it. I can see how racing at the top level gets you so strong.

A lot of the guys that did Tour were building up to the Giro d'Italia so the pace never let up. I got in the break on the first mountain stage, crashed in the wet at 70kph, and finished 36th overall.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?
This year was very different to Belgium, the training, terrain and climate in Slovenia is fantastic, but there were no bunch rides or smaller races to keep me sharp. 

Hanging with Serena in Slovenia, exploring parts of Europe together and hitting the beach in September were a real treat. 

Also making new friends, experiencing Turkish customs, culture and hospitality.

Biggest lesson learnt this season?
A signed contract doesn't mean you get paid. This year might have been my last year as an international, not by choice. 

Racing overseas is great but getting flicked for money by teams is the norm. Thanks to my Kiwi sponsors for their support - Worrals, The Hub Cycle Centre, Adidas Eyewear, Keywin Pedals and Foot Traffic Podiatry.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
On the flight home I went through them, I achieved most of my goals.

• to win an international race, yes
• to make NZ team to World Champs, close - I was reserve for the road race
• to travel and enjoy Europe, yes
• to have good work/life balance, yes
• to study and improve speaking italian, better- but not really
• to save money, no

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?
I got back to NZ a month ago and base myself in Napier. Close to friends and family, and its a great place to be in the summer!

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

Definitely getting back together with friends and family is always a buzz after nearly eight months away. And the little things, like being back in an English speaking country, with familiar surroundings and knowing how to get stuff done.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
Our Sunday morning group finishes at the cafe and they do great coffee and killer savoury muffins. Other cravings were: a steak and mushroom pie, custard square, liquorice allsorts and some good New Zealand wines.

What are your goals for the NZ summer season of racing?
I would love to do the double and win Nationals and the new Tour of Manawatu.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?
There is one exciting possibility at this stage, and like this year, it is a pretty exotic country and not your typical cycling destination. 

Hopefully it works out, otherwise I will be back on the building site 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 ...

If you were a Kiwi international in 2011, please join the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to share your story.