Sep 1st, 09. Kiwi international Jack Bauer sums up his 1st European season for RoadCycling.co.nz and talks of his Tour of Southland goals.

One of Jack Bauer's five wins (c) Heidi Lanoo

24 year-old Bauer is based in Belgium racing for Kingsnorth International Wheelers, a team with which many New Zealanders, including National Champion Gordon McCauley, have started their pro cycling careers.

The team was formed to give Commonwealth riders the opportunity to race in Belgium, in what the team calls "the hotbed of world cycle racing".

Are you happy with your 2009 International season?
My 2009 International season could not have gone better really.

I am stoked with the support my team Kingsnorth International Wheelers has given me, despite me being a 1st timer to International road competition.

Since arriving I have been riding amateur kermesse in Flanders, Belgium.  I have had an awesome run of luck with 5 wins under my belt. This has helped raise my profile over here, and I hope to have a decent contract to return to next year.

Next races / goals before the end of the international season
We will be racing the full Oost-Vlaanderen elite/without contract kermesse roster til mid October, when racing quietens down for the season.

My best performance this season
1st placing at the Rudy Dhaenens Memorial kermesse in Poesele, Belgium on the 7th of June. I won by a minute over 2nd place.  With the style of racing as it is over here, there are primes (cash) up for grabs on the multiple laps of the circuit that you complete. I jumped clear for a prime with 7 laps, 35km, to go. I managed to establish a lead and held on for the win!

When are you back in NZ?
I fly home October 19th arriving in Wellington, but I'm not sure where I will be based over summer. Possibly Nelson.

NZ races and goals for the NZ season?
My main goal for the New Zealand Season is Tour of Southland - I would love a stage win down in the deep south! Prior to that I am riding Club nats in Nelson, as well as Tour de Vineyards and Elite Nationals.

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...

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