| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Torckler |
| Born | 12 April 1987 |
| Team information | |
| Current team | GD Pringle p/b Spoken Cycles |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | All-rounder |
| Amateur teams | |
| 2008 | The Southland Times–Trek |
| 2009–2010 | Azysa–Conor WRC |
| 2012 | PureBlack Racing |
| 2016 | Trust House |
| 2017–2018 | Blindz Direct |
| 2019– | GD Pringle Building–Spoken Cycles |
| Professional teams | |
| 2011 | PureBlack Racing |
| 2013 | Bissell |
| 2014 | Team SmartStop |
| 2015 | Team Budget Forklifts |
Michael Torckler (born 12 April 1987) is a New Zealand cyclist, who currently rides for New Zealand amateur team GD Pringle p/b Spoken Cycles.[1]
Career
During 2012, Torckler was staying at Santa Rosa, California to train for upcoming competitions. On one of his training rides, on 30 June, he was hit by a car coming around a bend. He was thrown off his bike and hit the car windshield, breaking his arm and almost killing him.
The driver fled the scene but was later caught and was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison. Meanwhile, Torckler was airlifted to the nearest hospital, where he arrived in critical condition,[2] close to death. Although he was not brain damaged from the accident, he had no recollection of the accident. He was immediately moved to intensive care, and was discharged after only 12 days.
After returning to New Zealand after only a month after his accident, Torckler was back on his bike and starting to train again. After four months, he returned to racing at the 2012 Tour of Southland and finished the race in 61st place. Known as 'King of the Comebacks', Torckler raced in the Tour of Utah, and even won the King of the Mountains title.
In November 2014 Torckler was announced as part of the Team Budget Forklifts line-up for 2015.[3]
Major results
- 2005
- 5th Road race, Oceania Under-23 Road Championships
- 2009
- 1st
Time trial, National Under-23 Road Championships - 2nd Overall Vuelta a la Montaña Central de Asturias
- 6th Overall Tour of Wellington
- 2010
- 1st Overall Tour of Wellington
- 1st Stage 2
- 1st Overall San Martin Proba de Ataun
- 1st Overall Clásica Ciudad de Torredonjimeno
- 2012
- 1st Overall Tour of Borneo
- 1st Points classification
- 1st Stage 1
- 8th Overall Jelajah Malaysia
- 2013
- 1st
Mountains classification Tour of Utah - 4th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic
- 2015
- 3rd The REV Classic
- 2016
- 6th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic
- 2017
- 10th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic
- 2018
- 2nd Gravel and Tar
- 3rd Road race, National Road Championships
- 9th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic
- 2019
- 7th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic
- 2021
- 2nd Road race, National Road Championships
References
- ↑ "Vantage Elite & U23 National 2021 Road Race: Finisher List" (PDF). CyclingNewZealand.nz. Cycling New Zealand. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ↑ Shannon, Kris (30 June 2012). "Kiwi cyclist in intensive care after road accident in US". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ↑ "Bobridge back on the track with Team Budget Forklifts". cyclingnews.com. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
External links
- Michael Torckler at ProCyclingStats
- CyclingQuotes.com article about Torckler