2011 Season roundup - Kieran Hambrook

Hambrook in his sponsor's holiday resort 

Oct 6th, 11. He came home early with a broken collarbone, but Kiwi international Kieran Hambrook still feels he had a good season of racing in France.

The Nelson rider's season started off rocky when a deal with one team fell through at the last minute, but team UC Aubenas from the Rhone Alpes region was more than happy to snatch the Kiwi.

The 20 year old spent the season racing France's amateur circuit, while living in his sponsor's holiday resort in the South of France.

In his second full year as a Kiwi international, Hambrook said he gained more experience and knowledge about being more professional on all levels. 

With a stack of Top 10 finishes, he was on his way to fulfilling his goal of earning enough points to step up to the next level in the French amateur scene when he was hit by a car during a race.

In early August, Hambrook was just 300m from the finish line when his international season came to an abrupt halt. He had a slight gap on his group on the downhill run to the line when a car appeared on the race course. It turned into the path of the Kiwi who had nowhere to go. He sustained a broken collarbone.

Fortunately the injury has healed nicely and Hambook is set for a good performance in the NZ summer season of racing.

2011 International Season Round-Up

Best ride or result of the season?

I have been pretty pleased with most of my season. I was really consistent and ended with 11 Top 10's in the season. My best moment was winning the green jersey at Tour de Haut Var with a stage long break on the final stage.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

As for experience, racing in the Rhone Alpes gives you plenty of that (learning to race bikes with head and legs). Also hanging with two Estonians and one Brit team mate is good for a bit of a yarn.

Biggest lesson learnt this season?

Don't trust officials because there might be cars on race routes!

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?

I set a goal to get 1500 ffc points as a minimum for the season (to step up to a good DN1 Team). With the crash and missing over 10 race days I got 1250 points. I had a couple of Elite Nationals that I would have had good legs for that went down the drain.

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

Got back to NZ, Nelson 12th August thanks to my Ffc Insurance booking new flights.

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

Best thing about being home are just things like catching up with friends and family and just mixing with English speaking community.

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

Mum's stir frys and currys, and Aunt Bettys Creamed rice.

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

Tour of Southland, Benchmark 3 and 4 (Tasman Wheelers)

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

I am still working on the team situation.

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.