Patrick Bevin is US bound

Jan 14th, 10.  After an outstanding 2009 season, which saw him crowned the NZ U19 Cyclist of the Year, Patrick Bevin is heading to the US to ride alongside the pros.

Patrick Bevin ©RoadCycling.co.nz

At the prize giving for the Raboplus National Championships this weekend Bevin was announced as the inaugural BikeNZ Under19 Cyclist of the Year winner.

The 18 year old was excited by the award and by being the first person to have his name on the trophy.

"It was quite an honour. The first one, the first name on the trophy. It will be interesting to see the trophy in ten years time or so," Bevin told RoadCycling.co.nz.

Bevin's award came after his stellar performances in the 2009 calendar year. These included;

• 1st Oceania Road Race U19
• 3rd Oceania Time Trial U19
• 1st Australian Road Championships U19
• 1st New Zealand Road Championships U19
• 2nd New Zealand Time Trial Championships U19
• 1st Stage 4 Tour of Southland
• 1st Stage 7 Tour of Southland
• Overall Sprint Ace Tour of Southland
• 1st Taupo Avanti Cycle Classic

Elite Nationals

Bevin started 2010 with the same success he showed in 2009.  In the first two days of this year, he won two sprint finishes at the Tour de Vineyards.  

Going into last weekend's Raboplus Elite Nationals the Taupo rider had one thing on his mind - to become the U23 Road Champion.  However, the day didn't quite go Bevin's way with a crash early on forcing his retirement from the race.

"At the end of the day that's racing.  It's disappointing to end up with your race all over the tarmac, especially when we were trying to be so careful," he said.

"I have ended up doing some damage to my shoulder, and I have a haematoma on my hip."

"But it's great my teammate [Tom Findlay] won, and the jersey is with Bici Vida. That's great for the team," he said.

Bevin at the Raboplus Elite Nationals ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Heading to the USA

In March, after the end of the New Zealand season, Bevin is heading to the United States with two of his Bici Vida teammates Roman Van Uden and Mike Northey.

They are racing for the Rubicon Orbea Team, the new name for the Land Rover Orbea team which Van Uden and Northey rode for last year.

Being part of this team will see Bevin racing a number of major tours including the Tour of Gila, where Van Uden won a stage last year against stiff pro-rider competition.

"The cool thing about going to the USA is that we get to line up with the pros," said Bevin.

"For someone aspiring to be professional bike rider, it's an excellent place to start, to get racing that is not possible if you stay in New Zealand.

The base for the Rubicon Orbea Team is Portland Oregan, and Bevin will be living with the owners of the team, Dave and Noreen Godfrey.

"We are all living with Dave and Noreen who run the team. It is a massive boost, and helps me a lot, as it's my first time being away [from NZ] racing."

After the US season, Bevin, Northey and Van Uden will return to New Zealand in August ready to join Bici Vida for the 2010/2011 kiwi season.

Forced Rest

Bevin's current injury is just a temporary set back, and while it means he will miss being part of the Bici Vida team for the Trust House Cycle Classic later this month, he is looking ahead to the rest of 2010 with optimism.

"It means I get a break now, and having it now gives me more time before heading to the United States, so I get a proper rebuild," he said.

"I am having a couple of weeks off hard training. A week off and a week easy. Then I might race the Takapuna Street Race."