2011 Season roundup - Hamish Elley-Brown

Hamish Elley-Brown winning his 1st of five races this international season ©Jean Marie Picard

Oct 26th, 11. 18 year old Hamish Elley-Brown shares his roundup after his first year as a Kiwi international.

Patience eventually paid off and victories came late in the French season.

Along with three other young Kiwis, Elley-Brown joined Veloclub Morteau. He set off to France after a solid season of training and was eager to show his form on the French roads.

He had some good early season results but became frustrated when a win eluded him.

A July break to watch the Tour de France with his visiting family proved just the turning point he needed.

A few weeks later his more relaxed attitude saw him take the first win of the season - a convincing win with a 20sec time gap to the 2nd placed rider.

The results continued and Elley-Brown ended the season as winner of two race series; the eleven race Ronde du Jura and the nine race Credit Mutuel series. 

2011 International Season Round-Up

Best ride or result of the season?
This season was a major test of patience for me. I didn't end up getting my first win until the middle of August. From there though, it was all positive. I ended up getting four wins in five weeks.

Looking back on it, the long wait for my first win was a good thing because I learnt how to be a much better bike rider and work on my weaknesses.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?
I managed to catch the Tour de France on the Alpe de Huez and be right in the thick of the action. To say the least, there is nothing quite like being there in person.

Biggest lesson learnt this season?
I really had to work on staying calm and being patient in races. I always felt like I was capable and strong enough to win races but I had to learn to chill out a bit and wait for the decisive moves. Once I got this down I was away laughing.

Did you achieve your goals for the international season?
Yeah definitely. My main goal for the season was to get a win, I ended up getting two road race wins and two series wins so I ticked this goal off.

My second big goal was to get enough points to go Category 1 for 2012. I managed to do this as well and lock down a Cat 1 team in Northern France but unfortunately the team has folded so I am looking at options at the moment.

When are you back in NZ, (if you're not already) and where will you be based?
I got back home this morning [Tuesday]. I'll be living in Epsom, Auckland and hitting up all my favourite training routes round here.

What's the thing you like most about coming back to NZ after a season of racing?
This has been my first international season and I have only just got home, but to be honest just the simple things. I'm looking forward to eating some good food, sleeping in my own bed and of course catching up with everyone.

What's the first major Kiwi food addiction you have to quell upon landing?
I landed pretty early this morning but wasn't going to say no to a steak and cheese pie from Mt Eden bakery. That went down real good.

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

I haven't really thought too much about that yet. I'll be getting back on the bike in the next few days so after some base kilometres I'll think more seriously about upcoming races.

Have you any news you can share about the 2012 international season?
I don't have anything confirmed at the moment, no. I am just looking at options at the moment. I'm confident something good will pop up.

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 ...

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