Hey all, just wish you all a happy New year!

2009 was the best year of my life in my eyes, with starting the year off at Nerang I really got a reality check on what international riding was like. But that just made me go back and train harder. Nationals 2009 I felt strong and confident, something at other nationals I lacked. I had a major confident boost from that. I was then selected to be in the NZ High Performance program which I believe took me to the next level, maybe not training wise but the confidence I gained was huge. Heading towards the World Champs I had been in a 2week training camp with HP and I was feeling really good, best I have felt on my bike in my life. I had fun on the track and loved it. I had no expectations on myself and was just going to ride and enjoy. That's what I did, with some bad luck in 20inch didn't help but in Cruiser I won. That just topped it all off and was amazed at myself how on earth I did it when A few months back I had watched videos of the world champs finals for my age, I had never considered myself in it but was great feeling and I want to keep on doing that.
An amazing year but could not of done any of this with out My parents. also thank you to Ken Cools, and everyone else who has supported me and helped out.

Also Sarah Walker came down last night for Rhythm and Vines.  Had a few photos with the pro gate and did a few gates. heres some pics.

As you can see we are wearing helmets for all the helmet police out there :P

Been a fair bit since my last post, just have struggled to get the time to get into this and write a post. so here we go.
Alot has been happening and i cant remember hardly anything at the moment haha, so i will start here.
Training has been going pretty good, weather has been great, even though its one million degrees I just find it good its not raining and make the most of it. Very little wind so track has been sick to shred whenever I want. Been getting a shitload of gates done too.

My gym trainer rang me up and he was best man for a wedding and the bride had a list of things to do on a day. One of them was to ride again a world champion and his sister haha. She ended up getting like 2 and half straight head start but couldn't catch up. Will get some photos up of that

Christmas was good and had a good day with the family and Party at uncles. Got some Skullcandy headphones and earphones, A camera so can get some pics up on here more often, and just the usual chocolates etc,
One thing that was pretty sweet was my Aunty found like an exhaust for a bike, cracks me up haha. Got an extra piece of equipment that will make me go super fast at a SX race haha.

Rhythm and Vines has started from today so goodbye Gisborne until about the 2nd of Jan. The population here has just about doubled so going to be alot of  people around. It would be sick to go to but have to be over 18. Have to make own plans for New Years now.

Stay safe.
most likely missed something out.

After 14hors of driving finally arrived in Whangerei. Was pretty much dead.
Racing was at 1 on Saturday so got to sort of sleep in. I love the Whangerei track, its just so flowy and fast. Jumped the pro section for first time and was sick. It was a sort of side wind but was alright.
Racing, legs were dead, the drive didnt help at all haha. took a long time to warm up. but by last race they were good. Won a final with the worst lap ever existed haha .got last pick for prizes too? haha got a sweet blue wallet with nothing inside it though.
Had good night on Saturday too.
Had another sweet 9 hour drive home. Pretty sure I got jet lagged from the driving or some shit

Also well done to Scott Sleigh for his effort on the 2nd pro.
What else can you expect from a staats? haha

Yesterday I flew down to wellington for the day for a World Champ Function with all the 18 world champions Titles won in New Zealand cycling codes.
Hung out with the Bearman's in the morning because arrived really early and was still 3 hours until it started. Had a chat to Meng Foon (Mayor of Gisborne) on the plane too.
We got awarded a rainbow jersey and looks really good, don't know if I will wear it or just put it on my wall haha...
Rabobank also gave a gift, it was a small box and I just thought it would be just some chocolates or something like that but it was an iPod Touch 32gig! I was stoked for the whole day.
We had alot of photos and took a long long time haha.
Also was on the news in the background haha, famous.
Thanks to Rabobank and BikeNZ for all their support and for the craaaaazy gifts.

(front row from left): Cameron Karwowski, Sam Webster, Alison Shanks, Rico Bearman, Tahlia Hansen, Nick Fox. 
Back row: Brook McDonald, Ethan Mitchell, Owen Duffy, Paula Tesoriero, Warwick Dalton, Megan Blatchford, Reon Park, Justin Grace, Sarah Walker. Credit: Photosport.

For more info ....
http://www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?id=4990&Mode=1