After 12 years racing professionally, Kiwi mountain bike champion Kashi Leuchs has left the world circuit and returned to New Zealand with a stack of new challenges.
The three-time Olympian decided to return home after the dissolution of the Felt International mountain bike team, which he'd signed with for four years starting this year.
"I decided to stop World Cup-level racing in April this year, I had a few health issues last year, my team collapsed on me and my mind was starting to drift off in other directions," said Leuchs.
His new passion is a blend of environmental stewardship as an ambassador for the 350.org.nz movement and through his newly formed company, which will focus on marketing within the adventure sports industry.
Leuchs said he has long been interested in environmental issues and was introduced to the 350 movement - an organisation dedicated to climate change - by a fellow mountain biker. "To me this has become more important than bike racing."
In association with 350 New Zealand, "We want to encourage all New Zealand cyclists to get involved by joining us and placing a green number plate with the number 350 on their bikes, then riding them anywhere and everywhere. The idea is that people throughout the country will start noticing them and asking what they are about, inspiring conversation and education," Leuchs said.
What inspired you to embark on a career in sport?
Honestly, it just happened. I was passionate about a lot of things at school level as well, particularly music. I got into endurance sport at school level and I just really liked it. I got to meet cool people, and I think that's what turned me on to mountain biking - the people.
What was the best thing about being a professional rider?
To be able to focus 100 per cent and not have any distractions. When you have to earn your money from outside you can't really give 100 per cent to your task. The joy of being a professional mountain biker was really doing every single thing I could possibly do to become faster on a bike.
And the worst thing?
Last year was not a happy year for me. I had a few health issues crop up but I had to still go to races because I was on a professional team as well as preparing for the Olympics. The pressure New Zealand puts on its Olympians, and my own expectations as well, I guess, combined with an unhealthy body was pretty hard to cope with.
What would you say is your proudest achievement of your sporting life?
Probably making it on to a big professional team. I had one year when I was 21 years old, I had an amazing season and I made the Volvo Cannondale team, which is the pinnacle of all mountain bike racing teams. There were 14 riders, all superstars, and here I was, this little guy from New Zealand - I had no clue what I was doing there.
And your worst moment?
In general I really loved my time as a bike rider ... Getting to live in another country and learning the language and the culture was a huge highlight, but also the biggest challenge.
Do you consider yourself to have retired now?
I don't really like to use the word retire. I'm still riding, but I get to choose my races now - I'll do maybe more adventure-style events, long distance, high mountain, or just events that attract me with beautiful nature and scenery. But I've retired from the World Cup set, you could say that.
Who in the world do you most admire and why?
Right now I would say Barack Obama is doing a very good job. For the challenges he is facing, he's standing up to them.
What do you do to get away from sport?
I'm trying to get back into my music now. It's probably the best way I know to relax. Otherwise I just catch up with family and friends and that sort of thing. Being back in Dunedin is really lovely for me ... it's quite nice to be able to go to family dinners and stuff like that.
CV
2008 - Attended his third Olympic Games in Beijing, finishing 24th after a poor build-up.
2007 - Finished 7th overall on the World Cup circuit.
2006 - Finished 6th in the mountain bike event at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
2004 - Selected for his second Olympics, finishing 28th in Athens.
2002 - Represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in both the road racing and mountain biking, his best finish being fourth in the mountain biking event.
2000 - Selected for his first Olympic Games in Sydney.
1999 - Started riding professionally after being picked up by the prestigious Volvo Cannondale team.
<i>My life in sport</i>: Kashi Leuchs
Kashi Leuchs has left the international mountain bike racing circuit and is an ambassador for 350.org.nz. Photo / Derek Morrison
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