2011 season roundup - Michael Vink

Vink in the USA ©PureBlack Racing

Oct 14th, 11. The year started the best way possible by winning the NZ U23 Champion title and despite this being his best result of the year, Michael Vink has progressed a lot this international season.

In 2010 Vink had his first taste of international racing with a season based in Belgium. After the successful, carefully managed season thanks to support from HTC Highroad's Allan Pieper, the young Kiwi weighed up options for 2011.

He chose to follow in the footsteps of Sam Bewley and Jesse Sergent and take up an offer to join Trek Livestrong.

The day before the Elite Nationals in January, Axel Merckx, Vink's new team manager, called him and his fellow Trek Livestrong Kiwis Josh Atkins and George Bennett and told them one of them had to bring the NZ Champion's jersey over to the USA. Vink obliged with a stunning ride.

The 19 year old proudly took his NZ Champion's jersey to Boulder, Colorado eager to learn more and to progress his ambition of becoming a pro-tour rider.

Just living in Boulder, however, proved harder than any race Vink had encountered. There was no place to escape the high altitude, and the high altitude did not agree with the Canterbury teen.

Vink's 2011 international season did not provide any new results to add to his palmares, but it did provide something which could prove more valuable as his cycling career progresses - the experience of dealing with adversity.

Season roundup

Vink winning the Nationals ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

My best experience off the bike was definitely seeing my family when I arrived home. Being away from home for so long usually doesn't phase me, but this year was a little bit different as I left  two days after the big earthquake in February. 

One thing worse than being in a earthquake is not being there while your family still are.

Biggest lesson learnt this season?
The biggest lesson I learnt this season is that altitude doesn't agree with me. After five months living at altitude I had absolutely no change in any of my relevant blood values.

Some people fly after a few weeks at altitude and others crash and burn, unfortunately I am the latter. There is nothing I can do about it and I guess it's better I learnt this sooner rather than later.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
I didn't even come close. In spite of this, I was focused and gave 100% all season long. So in hindsight there is nothing I would change or nothing I would have done differently.

Because of this I have no regrets and I don't feel my season was as bad as it looks. I certainly wouldn't call this season a failure, but rather a lesson. Even though the season didn't go to plan, I am still very grateful for all the opportunities Trek Livestrong have given me.

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?
I am back in NZ now. I am based at home in Christchurch which is where I will be until I head overseas again in February or March next year.

What's the thing you like most about coming back to NZ after a season of racing?
I love arriving at the Air New Zealand departure gate on the way home and hearing all the Kiwi accents. For me it is when the reality hits that I am actually going home.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
Anything that is cooked for me is something I'll look forward to. I still live at home, so after cooking my own meals for a whole season it's really nice to get home where food just appears on the table. The pantry, fridge and freezer are always full too. (Thanks Mum)

What are your goals for the NZ summer season of racing?
My goal is to stay motivated and enjoy riding my bike while not doing too much. I find it's a pretty fine line as the more I ride the more I enjoy it.

I'm riding the Tour of Southland this year for the Mico Protrain team, which I am taking as a bit of a personal goal. After not getting many good results this season I'd really like to prove I've still got it.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?
I don't have any news yet, but I will have something finalised soon.  

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.