2011 Season roundup - Josh Atkins

Atkins in his first race in Trek Livestrong colours ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Oct 21st, 11. After his first season as a Kiwi international, Josh Atkins has learnt a lot about himself and about bike racing - and he is back to his winning ways.

Last year Atkins was a star of the NZ domestic season. Despite having to build himself back to peak form after two periods of rehab, he won the Graperide event, U19 road and time trial titles at the Club Nationals, the overall Benchmark Homes Series and the U23 title at the PowerNet Tour of Southland.

It was no wonder he came to the attention of international talent scouts and was signed by Trek Livestrong before the season ended. 

Unfortunately, 2011 started the worst possible way for the 19 year old when he broke his collarbone at the Elite Nationals after crashing on the final descent off Dyers Pass Hill.

Fortunately, the injury was a nice clean break and Atkins was ready to join his team in the US as planned.

After a full on season with Trek Livestrong where he raced in the USA and Europe, Atkins headed back this way and raced the Tour of Tasmania -  he placed 2nd overall behind Nathan Haas who won the UCI2.1 Jayco Herald Sun Tour last week.

Atkins followed that success up a few days later by winning Christchurch's Le Race. The PowerNet Tour of Southland is the next target.

International season round up

Best ride or result of the season?
Best result would be Tour of Tasmania - I have been back in Southern Hemisphere for a month or two now. Picking up the TTT win, 2nd in KOM and 2nd on GC was a great way to finish of the year. It put what I had learnt throughout the year into practice.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?
Best experience is really the year all round, I have learnt a lot about myself. I learnt what works and what doesn't work for me with training and everything else.

I met amazing people and made great friends. I have come back a different person and look forward to another amazing experience next year.

Atkins attacking the 'Gila Monster' in the US ©PureBlack Racing

Biggest lesson learnt this season?
Patience, I'll leave it at that.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
It was a hard season. I went in without specific goals, more to learn lots.

So I achieved that goal. But goals are very important. I am already thinking of my goals for next year.

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?
I have been in Australia since August. After Trek Livestrong missed out of racing the Tour of Utah and Colorado I came home.

I live in Canberra with my family. I am not quite able to fully support myself, so I am still under Mum and Dad's roof.

Right now I am preparing for the Tour of Southland, training in Christchurch with my great friends and training partners.

What's the thing you like most about coming back to NZ after a season of racing?
Coffee, better than anywhere in the world. And Kiwi accents....although I've picked up some hell bad aussie slang. Realising how proud I am to be a Kiwi - Go the All Blacks!!!!

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
Steak pie is a winner.

What are your goals for the NZ summer season of racing?
I have some goals for Southland but I won't speak of those. I am feeling good for the tour and racing the NZ riders. So many strong riders will make for awesome national racing.

Another goal is the Elite Nationals (U23), I will race to win both road and TT events, but with the timing so early in the season I will only have some very slow long rides in the legs.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?
I have signed with Trek Livestrong for 2012. I will be based in Boulder, Colorado again racing in Europe and America. I am looking forward to a great 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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