Sep 26th, 09. 19 year old kiwi international Alex McGregor shares his 2009 international season with RoadCycling.co.nz.

Alex McGregor spent his international season based in Dordrecht, in the South of Holland.

His European season started later than most when the young kiwi took advantage of a late opportunity that changed his season plans.

After a good start to the year at the Elite Nationals, McGregor was selected to ride at the Oceanias.  

He placed 6th in the time trial and 28th in the road race, a good result considering it was his first TT in this age group.  

McGregor then raced the Track Nationals in March before hitting a tough spell when he was coachless.  After six weeks without riding he started to get his goals refocused once again.

In June, McGregor had just finished the Tour of Taranaki where we wore the leaders' yellow jersey for four out of five stages and finished 3rd on the General Classification.

"I was happy with my ride and the training was starting to take shape. I had planned to race in Australia in the Scody Cup series from July to October, but I was only there for one week before I received an email asking if I'd like to come to Holland and ride for a club team.  I went back to New Zealand, packed up my things and I was off to Europe," McGregor said.

In Europe he was racing for team DRC de mol.

Best ride/result of the season?

I think the best ride I had would probably have been the first stage of the Tour of Antwerpen in Belgium.  It was a 4.4km prologue where I placed 24th out of 200, and I was only 12 seconds from the winner.

I may have done better if I had a front brake that worked properly, however I was pretty happy with this as I had only been in Europe for less than two weeks and was still adjusting to European racing.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

The best experience off the bike would have to be watching the first stage of the Eneco Tour in Rotordam.  For me, even watching the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris couldn't beat the Eneco Tour.

I got to see a lot of pro cyclists up close and personal. I talked to a few of them and even chatted with Tom Boonen himself!  It was really good fun seeing all the team buses, the teams bikes and all the gear.

I even caught up with fellow kiwi riders Tim Gudsell and Greg Henderson, who gave me some team gear for turning up to watch the tour, Cheers Hendy!

Best experience on the bike would have to be just all the racing really. Being able to race in Europe is a great experience and it really gives you an idea of what you need to do to become a top cyclist.

Another great experience was getting the chance to ride a race with Rabobank continental rider Jasper Ockeloen. It gave me a chance to sort of compare my ability to that of a continental rider.

Next races / goals before the end of the international season?

Were you happy with your 2009 International season?

My 2009 international season could have been better, I would have liked it to be a wee bit better, but otherwise it turned out not to bad.

Even though I was/am only in Europe for 3 months I think I did pretty well given the short time I was here.

When are you back in NZ?

I arrive back in New Zealand on the 1st of October. My home is in Dunedin, Otago, so it was good to be in Europe over winter. Dunedin is freezing cold!

Are you planning on riding: Tour of Southland, Taupo Classic, Festival of Cycling, Elite Nationals?
I am planning on riding the Tour of Southland. Hopefully I have a team sorted in time for it.  I will probably be there for the Festival of Cycling and definitely the Elite and Club Nationals.

Main goal for the NZ season ....

My main focus is on the Elite and Club Nationals time trials, the Elite more so than the Club Nationals,  and also the Oceania Time Trial and Road Race.

I hope to time trial very well at both the Nationals and Oceanias to hopefully get a chance at the UCI World U23 TT Championships in Australia in 2010.  


Photos provided by Alex McGregor.

Read the season round-ups of all the kiwi internationals..

Greg Henderson, Peter Latham, Alex Meenhorst, Tim Gudsell, OEX Team Enterprise, Matt Sillars, Roman Van Uden, Alex McGregor, Heath Blackgrove, Wade Mangham, Glen Chadwick, Genevieve Whitson, George Bennett, Logan Hutchings, Michael Torckler, Josie Giddens, Jesse Sergent, Tom David, Jack Bauer, Sam Bewley, Rushlee Buchanan, Clinton Avery, Ryan Wills, Cath Cheatley plus recent interviews with Alison Shanks, Hayden Roulston and Jo Kiesanowski. More to come...