2011 season roundup - Shem Rodger

Shem Rodger ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Sep 7th, 11. Shem Rodger shares his international season roundup - his first focusing 100% on road cycling.

Rodger has been an international Kiwi before, but as part of the NZ track development team.

In 2011 his goals were all about road cycling and the 22 year old spent the season racing in the US with PureBlack Racing.

International season roundup - Shem Rodger

Best ride or result of the season?

I would have to say 'Philly' was without a doubt the coolest race of the year. The atmosphere there is amazing and the team happened to be firing on all cylinders that day.

I think the team grew a lot from Philly and we became more confident in our abilities.

It was also the longest ride I had ever ridden, let alone raced so to get through it and still have the ability to make a race of it was an awesome feeling.... 258km is a very long way!!!

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

It would have been going to the wind tunnel with the guys from Avanti to test their new time trial and track bike at the A2 wind tunnel in North Carolina.

It was interesting to see the bike industry from a different angle and I learnt so much. It was impressive to see how professional the guys at Avanti are. I can now see how they are producing world class bikes -  the numbers don't lie - and I can honestly say I'm proud to be riding a revolutionary Kiwi made bike!

Biggest lesson learnt this season?

I think I learnt most about my body and how to read it. Being my first time at altitude I was surprised by how much it affected me. Although I'm sure living at altitude had its benefits, most days I felt as though I would be better banging my head against a brick wall.

I remember coming back to altitude and going up one of the climbs around Boulder and getting passed by a guy on a mountain bike!!!

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?

You always hope to get a race win, and this year I was disappointed not to get one (although the team still has a few races left...fingers crossed) but I would say I had some performances that more than made the year a success.

Seeing some of my teammates on the top step of the podium and knowing I did everything I could to help them get there was an awesome feeling.

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

I'm already home and will spend my time in Cambridge.

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

I enjoy catching up with family and friends. They are what I miss most while away.

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

The food in Boulder was amazing and there are even some foods I will miss while back home in NZ, but number one on my list of things to do was get a good Kiwi pie and custard square.

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

My goals for summer are limited. I am more aiming towards a better northern hemisphere season next year. I will not sacrifice a good year away for an awesome New Zealand summer of racing. Although that doesn't mean I will go to these races under done.

The Tour of Southland is huge for any Kiwi rider, so naturally I would like to be in the team to do races such as Southland and put in a good performance.

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.