Whitson and her Japanese teammates in France

Whitson lives in the UK, but has spent time in France racing for a Japanese team this year. Very international!

How did you become a Kiwi with a French name living in the UK and racing in Europe for a Japanese team?

It all started in 2005 when I was trying to qualify for the World Mountain Bike Championships.

I wanted to race in Europe but didn't have the funds to support six months of full time racing so my mother suggested I base myself in the UK and work in between racing.

My mother is also the reason I have a French name. My parents lived in UK/Europe in the 70's and Mum always liked European names, my brother and sister also have European names.

I ended up in the Scottish highlands working in this cool bike store which was just down the road from the World Cup MTB course at Fort William.

It was perfect because I had the most amazing terrain to train and race on while still being able to pop over to the rest of Europe for major races. When my visa expired in mid 2006 I came back to NZ to compete in the World Mountain Bike Championships and then decided to switch to road racing.

I wanted to race in Europe on the road but again it was the same predicament as the mountain bike, so I applied for another visa in the UK and came back in 2008.

For me it makes more sense to be over here with my goals focused towards Europe. I love NZ and I miss it, but the UK is a lot of fun and there are also a lot of people here to give sound advice on the racing scene, especially with the British Cycling's recent successes at Beijing.

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

For me the season has finished, so now I am just looking forward to riding my cyclocross bike over the winter here and building base for 2010.


Best ride/result of the season?

Finishing 5th at the 4th round of the UK Women's National Road Series. Four women and myself got into a break with a 2 minute split. I was in a lot of pain and struggling to stay in the break. I was really stoked to hang in to the end!


Best experience (on or off the bike)?

Racing in France in Tour Feminin En Lemousin this year with my Japanese team and all the crazy/fun experiences that unfolded.  It was also an extremely valuable learning curve and an indication as to the standard of competition in Europe.


Were you happy with your 2009 International season?

For the most part. It was very disappointing when my team in the States dissolved under the recession and I was left with no team to ride with for the whole season, but this in turn opened up doors for racing in the UK Women's National Road Series and France. So it all worked out in the end.


When are you back in NZ (if you are)?

I will be back in NZ in February next year for 3-4 weeks. I am very much looking forwarding to catching up with family/friends in Wellington and Palmerston North that I haven't seen for close to a year.

I would really like to do the Elite Nationals but I won't make it back in time. I will be competing in the Women's Tour of NZ and the World Cup instead.


Main goal for the NZ season?

Having good form for the Women's Tour of NZ and the World Cup. Getting some type of tan after the long and dark UK winter!

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...