Sep 2nd, 09.

Tom David is based in Belgium with team Davo Lotto Davitamon.

He's raced six tours and a handful of one day races since the start of this season back in March. After a tough season last year, David is happy to report he's been enjoying racing again.

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

There isn't really too much racing left in the season. This week I will be doing kermis races on the 31/08, then again on 02/09. After that my next race will be on the 6th with the team in Dunkerque.

Then I was hoping to head over to West Flanders for a few days to do some kermises and stay with Clinton [Avery]. On the 12/09 I think I will have the race Nieuwerken-Waas which is an interclub.

After that there is a possible 3 day tour in France around the 20th, and then my last race is Gooikse Pijl on the 27th!

I'm going to try and do as many kermises along the way as possible just to keep busy. My goal really is just to race well, and obviously I wouldn't complain if a win came my way.

Best ride/result of the season?

That's a hard question! I haven't really done much for myself this season in terms of results, mostly it's just been helping others.

In the Vuelta a Navarra I had a pretty good ride I guess on the hardest day of the tour. I was in the break and so was a teammate who was virtual yellow so I had to drive it on the front until I popped 15km before the finish. Hmmmmmmm good times.

Best experience (on or off the bike)?

"We raced up climbs that shake up the real Tour - such as Col de Saisies, Col de Madeleine, Col de la Croix de Fer and La Toussuire "The whole year has been good experience! If I had to pick out a highpoint it would definitely have to be the Tour des Pays de Savoie (quite literally a high point). It was a super cool and hard tour but it was really good to finally meet the high mountains.

We raced up climbs that shake up the real Tour - such as Col de Saisies, Col de Madeleine, Col de la Croix de Fer and La Toussuire - all category 1 or Hors category.

You wouldn't believe how hard these climbs are until you do them. I was chuffed as cheese just to finish in 27th place (probably out of about 30 finishers, haha).

Were you happy with your 2009 International season?

Yes and no. Last year I went for a full year in Belgium as a second year junior, and it really just cracked me. Last summer I was close to never racing again.

Now, I have enjoyed the year and had good times with the team, and have definitely got the motivation back. My antics and lack of motivation last summer have really hurt my ability to pull any consistent form out this year I think.

So yes, I am happy with the 2009 season as I have re-found my motivation and am enjoying riding my bicycle, but if you asked me 2 years ago how I would want my first u23 season to go my results this year wouldn't quite match up.

When are you back in NZ?

I leave Belgium on the 30th of September, and get back home on the 2nd of October. NZ home for me is in St Heliers, Auckland, although I do try to spend most of my time at Whiti City (Whitianga) and it feels like home there too.

Are you planning on riding: Tour of Southland, Taupo Classic, Festival of Cycling, Elite Nationals...?

No. I am having my break off the bike during October so it won't really leave me in any condition to do any of that stuff. I was quite keen to do Southland this year but it just wouldn't work out with my break, so I had to say no.

People may think that you are being snobby or something like that but Europe really takes it out of you, and for me a break is definitely neccessary. Also Elite Nationals is a bit too far to go I think. Tour of Wellington however is a possibility.

Main goal for the NZ season?

Just to have fun! Good times with friends, and Whanau. A few waves and a few days fishing will do me some good.

I plan on building a huge base for next year, so when I come back I can perform at my best. I will probably be doing as many crits as possible over the summer too, just for a bit of speed. Oh and a big goal for me is to build my first Telecaster. Exciting!

Next year I am happy to say I'm staying with Davo Lotto Davitamon. I am looking forward to next season, I think if I train really really hard over summer I will be capable of some pretty decent results!

Photo courtesy Tom David

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...