Aug 28th, 09. Kiwi international Rushlee Buchanan sums up her 2009 US season for RoadCycling.co.nz and looks ahead to the NZ summer season.

In action for Team TIBCO (c)Wil Matthews Photography

Next races / goals before the end of the international season
My final race is the Gateway Cup/Women's Tour of Missouri. It is a 4 day criterium series in Missouri in the first week of September.

Best ride/result of the season
On the American circuit TIBCO won team GC in the first NRC [National Racing Calendar] event (Redlands) and have held on to that to be the top American Team all season.

Best experience (on or off the bike) ....
I have had many awesome experiences on and off the bike as we have travelled so much and met so many awesome people. Right now I am in Boulder, Colorado, and I am loving the training and the town and the NZ style coffee, so this is a good end to the American Season.


Were you happy with your 2009 International season?
My international 2009 season was cut short so I have been slightly disappointed with the amount of bike I time I got, but crashing is part of cycling and it has allowed me to re-set my goals and train even harder.

When are you back in NZ?
I touch down 16th Sept at 5am and head straight to my home town coffee shop in Te Awamutu!! Can't wait!

What events are you planning on riding over the NZ season?
Taupo Challenge because they have introduced a women's race, I would love to do Festival of Cycling - but it's a long way from Te Awamutu! And definitely the Elite Nationals.

Main goal for the NZ season ....
I will be hitting the boards for track a lot, and for sure Elite Nationals. And to soak up some good NZ sun and coffee!

Related articles on Rushlee's US season

• May 9th - Where in the world is Rushlee Buchanan
• Jun 25th - Buchanan back in top form
• Jul 22-27th - Cascade Classic reports from Rushlee (find these in Racetalk/InternationalKiwis)

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...