A friend of Qwik Kiwi, Michael Torckler is riding in the Tour of Southland again having ridden in the event seven times previously finishing as high as fourth overall. Michael has previously won the Tour of Wellington on GC and the KOM at the Tour of Utah. We will be publishing a daily interview with Michael after each stage to give you an insight into ‘Life in the Peloton‘.
QK: How big a factor did Balckmount play with deciding the outcome of todays stage?
MT: Blackmount didn’t make any difference to the outcome of the stage, the bunch did split a little over there but with the headwind on the other side things came back together pretty quickly.
QK: How did the stage unfold for you and your team?
MT: We had a relatively quiet day just staying out of trouble until the Blackmount climb. Once over the climb our boys jumped on the front to keep the breakaway in check, doing a good job until some other teams came up to help out. We finished the stage with 3 of us in the main bunch so it was a successful day on the road.
QK: After yesterday’s stage you and the team had an impressive looking salmon meal. My pre-race meal of choice is a baked salmon on a kumura mash. How important was this meal to assisting you and the rest of Vantage Windows & Doors team to recover from yesterday’s stage?
MT: Nutrition is absolutely key through a stage race and we have no shortage of it to help us recover, refuel and race on. Eating becomes a chore after a few days so the salmon was awesome, it’s a real quality food and tastes great.
QK: With Coronet Peak included in tomorrows stage how do you envisage this stage playing out?
MT: I see the Coronet stage being a showdown on the climb, we will need to watch the composition of the breakaway to make sure of this though.
QK: What are your tactics going into tomorrows stage?
MT: We will keep a close eye on who is going up the road and try to be represented in that break if possible. Ultimately, I would like to have a good crack at the climb so hopefully the legs come to the party and things go our way.
QK: All the best for the Crown Range.
Here is Michael’s Strava file:
https://www.strava.com/activities/762175410
The Vantage Windows & Doors team are sponsored by:
Thanks to the team at Tineli for arranging this interview.
Previous episodes of Life in the Peloton can be found here:
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/02/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-two-interview-ayden-toovey/
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/02/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-two-interview-guy-carter/
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/02/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-two-interview-brett-grieve/
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/10/31/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-one-interview-michael-torckler/
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