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Home > TeamTalk > Kiwi TeamTalk > Where in the world is ... Rushlee Buchanan
Where in the world is ... Rushlee Buchanan
buchananthumbMay 5th, 09. Rushlee Buchanan, one of NZ's pro cyclists on the US Women's circuit, is off the bike due to a broken wrist, she updates RoadCycling NZ in the latest "Where in the world ...." installment.

 



21 year old Rushlee is based in the Bay Area of San Francisco for her second season with her Silicon Valley team TIBCO.  Unfortunately she is out of action and on the trainer at the moment, "I was aiming to peak later in the season, but as of a week ago, I'm stuck on the trainer after scoring my first broken bone in the Dana Point Gran Prix, an NRC (US National Racing Calendar) race in Southern California"

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Track mode - Nationals (c)Dianne Manson

Whilst she may be eager to get back out on the road now, at the beginning of the year Rushlee was eager to get back on the track.  She competed in the RaboPlus National Track Championships in February after a long time away from a velodrome,  "I was so was excited to hit the boards again. I must have been the last NZ rider to ride the Invercargill velodrome!" she said. 

Rushlee spent alot of her time as a junior on the track, but in recent years has been broadening her focus.  She's gained road miles and experience as she's kicked off her road career, all the while clocking up power and strength to get back on the boards she explained.  That power and strength turned into a Silver in the Women's Points Race, 4th in Individual Pursuit and Gold in the Women's Team Pursuit at the Nationals.


"The Track Nationals were great, I loved the atmosphere and I had Sarah (Ulmer) and Brendon (Cameron) as support crew - can't get any better than that! Also I was super excited about the new event, the Women's Team Pursuit. Waikato had a rockstar team with the brand-spanking new Jaime Nielsen , Sonia Waddell and myself. We won the event in 3.30. So bummed we didn't crack the 30! But was a good shot for the 2nd ride as a team! It was an honour to be the first ever Women's Team Pursuit National Champions."


Just four days post RaboPlus Track Nationals Rushlee flew to USA.  "Back to California to join team TIBCO. The team is located in the Bay Area of San Francisco, managed by Linda Jackson, and directed by Jeff Corbett. There are 12 girls on the team and we are looking forward to an awesome year." Rushlee isn't the only kiwi in TIBCO, Jo Kiesanowski joins her in the team that also includes current U.S. National Road and Criterium Champion Brooke Miller.

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Road mode - Team TIBCO (c)Wil Matthews Photography

Team TIBCO is a professional women's cycling team that has high hopes for 2009. "The team is focused on finding and developing athletes for major international competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games. Though 2008 was just its second full season, the team brought home three national championships and was one of the top teams in the U.S. For 2009, the goal is to be number one." Team TIBCO.

"After our training camp it was straight up in Santa Barbara and the first tour, Redland Bicycle Classic" shared Rushlee. "The team rode strong, and came away with team GC. Since then I have been based in San Francisco, and have done local races such as the Sea Otter Classic weekend, where TIBCO was on the podium each day". At the top of the podium on the final day was Jo Kiesanowski (Kiwi Kiesanowski closes Sea Otter with a win)


With her broken wrist, Rushlee's plans for the season are under review, "I'm not quite sure what my racing schedule will look like now, but I plan to ride the full season out here in the USA and return down under in September" Rushlee told RoadCycling.


 

Rushlee Buchanan's home town is Te Awamutu NZ

 




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