Alexandra 20-year-old James Williamson is building up to an international cycling career and plans to join a domestic team in California within months.
Williamson, who has been signed to New Zealand-based team Subway Avanti for the past four years, put tertiary education on hold this year to pursue his athletic dream.
His recent success in the elite national road race championships at Christchurch put him in good stead for the challenge.
Williamson was about 30sec behind the top cyclist, and placed second in his under-23 class.
"We actually race with all the elite men. I was fifth over the finish line and the guy that won the under-23s [Tom Findlay] was fourth," he said.
It was Williamson's third time competing in the championships.
He won gold in the under-23 section at Te Awamutu last year, and finished seventh at his first attempt, at Napier in 2008.
The one-day race last weekend saw him complete 12 15-16km laps around hilly Christchurch suburbs, riding more than 180km in a time of 4hr 48min.
Thirty-six riders competed in the under-23 class.
Most of New Zealand's top road cyclists took part, including Hayden Roulston, Jack Bauer, Julian Dean, Heath Blackgrove, and Jeremy Yates.
"It's about who's there and where you finish, rather than time."
Despite planning to join a domestic American cycling team, Williamson said he would still be able to race for Subway Avanti at international events, of which he hoped there would be a couple this year.
Before leaving New Zealand he will compete in the Tour of Wellington and while at home will continue his training schedule of 600km-800km a week.
