2011 Season roundup - Myron Simpson

Simpson and his Trek sponsor bike ©Graham Watson

Oct 8th, 11. Based in Belgium with the NZ U23 Development team, Myron Simpson's international season was all about building a solid base for his track goals - but along the way he earned five road victories.

His biggest win was his first - a stage victory in May's UCI 2.2 An Rost Ras in Ireland where the then 20 year old attacked his breakaway companions for a late solo charge. 

"With 300m to go I knew I had got it. As soon as I saw the line I threw my arms in the air and celebrated. It's my first big win so I was pretty stoked," he said at the time.

The Aucklander followed up that first win with success in Kermesses, one day races, and back in this part of the world he won a stage in Australia's Tour of the Murray River in late August.

"I think from this season my strength on the road has come up a lot, and it will in-turn help with the track when it's time to get into our work in October!" he told RoadCycling.co.nz a month or two ago.

The Commonwealth Games NZ representative has a huge track goal ahead of him - making the Olympic team.

"It's going to be hard - not just for me but for all the guys wanting to be part of the team for the London Olympics next year, but each rider knows it and surely it can only be a good thing for the team as a unit to push each other to see just how fast we can go!"

2011 International Season Round-Up

Best ride or result of the season?

Probably the Ras Tour in Ireland. Everyone had great form and was riding well and I managed to win Stage 5 which meant we could all finally have a shave!

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

I think our training camp in Aigle, Switzerland was one of the highlights this year. Climbing mountains for an hour and a half then descending for 20 odd minutes was awesome - and after training we'd come back and watch the Tour de France in the afternoon.

Myron Simpson wins the Stage 3 criterium at Tour of the Murray River ©Shane Goss – licoricegallery.com

Biggest lesson learnt this season?

I learnt a lot about my body and how much I need to eat to lose a bit of weight.

I lost a few kg's early in the season and it made a big difference to my riding.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?

Absolutely. I went over hoping to maybe get on the podium of one of the bigger UCI races, but to win a stage in Ireland then four other races was awesome.

I think all the boys rode well together which helped us all achieve our own goals at different times of the season.

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

I've been back in NZ for a month now, and will be based in Auckland most of the time, looks like the rest of the time will be down in sunny Invercargill!

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

Catching up with friends and family.... and always having food in the kitchen thanks to Mum.

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

I'm a big fan of Marmite.... I was a bit dark when the Junior team came to our house in Belg and someone (I still don't know who) decided to eat the whole jar and then put it back in my cupboard, I was filthy....

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

I will see if we can get a result in Southland in the PowerNet team, then all focus is on the track.

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

Nope! Hopefully back to Europe again but I will see how the summer goes on the track.

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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