|
 Aug 27th, 09. Kiwi international Clinton Avery sums up his 2009 European season for RoadCyclng.co.nz and talks of changes to his NZ season to ensure great form for 2010.
Receives his trophies after winning the Tour Vlaams (c)Gaston Peeters
Clinton Avery is based in Belgium with his team WS Eijssen. The 21 year old is the only kiwi in his team.
Best ride/result of the season
I have a couple that I am proud of and all equally impressive. 1, Tour Vlaams Brabant winner. 2, 7th Paris - Roubaix. 3, 2nd Omloop van de Grensstreek - Wervik interclub.
Season summary
Well it got off to a really rocky start. I didn't do the training I should have over summer, I was busy having a good time.
I had just got my act together and begun training, but after about a week training mid January, during the North Island Xc mountain bike series in Rotorua, I crashed, landing me in hospital with a suspected broken femur.
It wasn't broken but with physio twice a week for 4 weeks I finally managed to get back on my bike. Due to no training I missed the National elite/U23 Road cycling championships and nearly missed the National elite MTB champs. I managed to pull off 3rd place there but I wasn't happy.
To make it worse my new team here, PWS Eijssen, wasn't happy that I wasn't coming to Belgium until March and told me if I wasn't in Belgium by 20th Feb I would be out of the team. I managed to sort that out and still come in March and still have a team.
Once I arrived I had no form at all and found my first three races very hard. I managed to pick up my training and find some form but it was very up and down for a while. By [U23] Paris-Roubaix I had already won a couple of races and was hoping to be at least on the podium in Roubaix. But it wasn't to be.
I managed to hold my form placing top 10 in most races I started, then finally got the break I was after, winning the Tour of Vlaams Brabant.
From there I took some time off racing to do a block of training and it paid off again. I raced the Omloop va de Grensstreek and finished 2nd. I had the legs to win but made a tactical error in the sprint. That brings me to now with the hope of holding my form right through to the World Championships.
Next races / goals before the end of the international season
Coming up I have Tour of Aosta in Italy then Chrono chamonoi, a selection event for Time Trial race at the Worlds. Hopefully World champs. Finishing the European season with Paris Tours.
Best experience (on or off the bike)
Spending the day with Allan Pieper (Director Team Columbia HTC) and testing for Team Columbia HTC.
Were you happy with your 2009 International season?
It's been my best international season ever on the road. The previous two years I was cooked not long after Paris Roubaix and never managed to get back on top. In the previous two years any race I did after July was nearly a waste of time, including the World Champs. This year, between me and my coach, we have managed to keep control of my form and have kept it all the way through till now and hopefully longer.
When are you back in NZ and where is your NZ home?
18th October, Rotorua
Are you planning on riding; Tour of Southland, Taupo Classic, Festival of Cycling, Elite Nationals...
After talking to a couple of big people over here, Pro team directors etc and my coach, I have pulled out of the Tour of Southland. My 4-5 week rest period will begin after Paris Tours which runs through the Tour of Southland and possibly Taupo. Elite Nationals are definitely on the cards and I am hoping to attend with form. Everyone would like to walk away with the National Champion title. Unfortunately I'm elite next year so competition will definitely be tough.
Main goal for the NZ season
Train for the 2010 European season 100% properly as the team will be continental next year so pro races like the Tour of Belgium are definitely races to focus on doing well in.
Related articles on Clinton Avery's European season
Thumbnail Photo: (c) Liesje Claeys
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...
|
Twitter
Facebook 