By Jonathan Leask  January 16

Jason Christie has already put last weekend’s frustrations behind him and set his sights on the roads of Europe.

At the New Zealand elite road cycling championships in Christchurch last weekend Christie was one of a group of 58 riders who either withdrew or were withdrawn by organisers from the 186km road race.

 In Christie’s case the officials stopped him from completing the race because he had apparently fallen too far behind the leaders.

 Of the 82 elite men and under 23 riders who started the race only 24 crossed the finish line.

 “They pulled us out for being a bit behind. “I would have been happy to finish the course but they stopped me 30km from the finish,” Christie said.

 The 19 year old rider was disappointed the at the organisers for not allowing the other riders to finish the event. “It was a hard race on a tricky course that saw us get bunched up.

 “Some riders would drop off on the hill then catch up which slowed everyone down.”

 He had more success earlier this year when he competed in the Nelson Tour De Vineyards. He managed to secure a stage win, was placed fifth in general classification and was second in the king of the mountain, form he hoped to build on in the elite road race ahead of a second season in Europe.

 He had been invited to a training camp in Invercargill but chose to train on his own for a while before the road nationals and track championships before he departs to Europe.

 “Last time I was over there I was solo but now I’ll be with a team. I got a contract with Enduro Racing and leave for Europe in March. I’ll be based in the UK and race in the Tour of Ireland, Tour of Britain and the Mediterranean tour,” Christie said.

 Over seven months he will race around the roads of Europe before returning to New Zealand to compete in the Tour of Southland.

 It’s not bad for a young rider who picked the sport up at age 13 when a friend invited him along to a Tinwald Cycling club event.

 Six years on and he has a contract with a professional team and is embarking on a second season in Europe.

 Christie has also gained a prime minister’s scholarship and will use it for correspondence study, but is yet to decide what he will study.

 For now he is focused on training so he can make the most of his opportunity with a professional team racing in Europe.

Pictured:  Jason Christie is on the road to success in Europe. - Photo Sarah Chamberlain 110110-SC-278