Kristian House - Bio

Kristian House is a member of the Rapha/Condor/ReCycling.co.uk squad and we asked him to tell us something about himself

Your competition CV?
2007 – Navigators Insurance Pro Cycling Team – UCI Pro Continental (US)
1st Tour of Tasmania Green Jersey (Sprint)
9th Overall
1st Ricola Twilight Grand Prix
2nd Overall Tour de White Rock
2nd Stage Two
4th Stage Three
1st Copperas Cove Classic
5th Tour de Gastown Criterium
18th Overall - Tour of Ireland
5th – Stage 2

2006 - Recycling.co.uk Cycling Team – UCI Continental Cycling Team (UK)
1st Stage 3 – Tour of Bretagne (Fra) UCI 2.2
1st Overall FDB Ras – Tour of Ireland (Irl) UCI 2.2
1st Stage 6 - TTT
3rd Stage 1 – Boucles des Mayenne (Fra) UCI 2.2
8th Overall Classification
10th Stage 3 – Tour of Britain – UCI 2.1
1st Overall Tour of Tasmania
1st Stage 1
1st Tour of Southland – Stage 9
8th Overall
1st Overall UK Premier Calendar Series
1st Tour of the Pendle (UK Premier Calendar Series)
1st Lincoln International GP (UK Premier Calendar Series)
1st Overall Girvan Stage Race (UK Premier Calendar Series)
1st Stage 2
1st Perth International Derny Race (Aus)
2nd Tour of the Res (UK Premier Calendar Series)
2nd Ardooie (Bel)
2nd Guildford Criterium
2nd Otley Criterium
3rd Rochdale Criterium
5th Rutland Melton Classic (UK Premier Calendar Series)
6th National Road Race Championships

2005 - GB National Track Endurance Team/ Lombarden Cycling Team (Bel)
10th Overall Tour of Mallorca UCI 2.2
5th Stage 3 & 4
6th Stage 1 Fleche Du Sud UCI 2.2
9th Stage 2 Fleche Du Sud UCI 2.2
1st Overall Tour of the South
1st KOM Cranbourne Chase Stage Race
1st Bendigo Criterium (Aus)
1st Koritijk GP (Bel)
2nd Omloop Van Der Greenstrek (Bel)
2nd GP Dadizale (Bel)
2nd Inglemunster (Bel)
3rd Guildford Criterium
4th Moorselede (Bel)
4th Ribble Valley Classic
Held the KOM Jersey for 9 days in the Tour of Landkawi

2004- GB National Track Endurance Team/ Lombarden Cycling Team (Bel)
1st Time Trial -Fayetteville Stage Race (Usa)
1st Perth International Track Meet -Points Race
2nd Leister Forest Series TT – Round 10
2nd Leister Forest Series TT – Round 11
2nd Leister Forest Series TT – Round 12
2nd NEC National Criterium (UK)
2nd Oudenburg (Bel)
2nd Perth International Track Meet - Derny Race
3rd Bungay National Criterium (UK)
3rd Jayco Bay Crits – Rye (Aus)
4th National Madison Championships
4th Overall Tour of Queensland
4th Westhouter (Bel)
6th Mexico World Cup – Individual Pursuit (Mex)
7th Tour Of Mallorcia TT (Esp)
8th Notre Dame de Monts - Notre Dame de Monts (Fra)
10th Le Ch‚teau D'Olonne (Fra)
13th Overall Sun Tour
Member of the Team Pursuit (Travelling Reserve) that took silver at The World Track Championships.

What was your first club?
Whole Foods Cycling Team (Quickly Followed by Violet Crown)
How/Why did you start cycling?
I always rode my bike, as it was the only way I could get anywhere... school, football practice etc. When I was about 15 I wanted to tour round the world, camping and riding. My uncle was doing it and I thought it looked like fun!
Why did you begin racing?
Riding my bike to football practice I ended up meeting a girl (Heidi) who then helped me get onto a Team. Between her and her boyfriend (Craig) they really helped me get me get on my way. I did a few MTB bike races with my best friend, that was cool, but I really wanted to race the road. Within a year I Joined Violet Crown, where they set up a Junior Team headed by James Karthouser... and it was all on from there
Best moment so far in your career?
It’s really hard to pick just one, so ill pick three. When I was 18 I won the Tour of Texas Austin Down Town Criterium. It was my home town, in front of my mother and brothers and everyone else that supported me thru the junior ranks. The second was the day I was given a GB jersey, I can remember sitting in the hotel room in Poland, and Herety walking in and giving me the kit. It was something I had wanted for so long. The third was winning a stage of the Tour of Bretagne in 2006. A lot to training went it to winning there, and for it to come off the way it did was just perfect. 
Worst moment so far in your career?
Crashing in the final 10km of Paris-Tours when I was in the break of 8 guys. Gutted. Ended up in hospital next to Jan Ullrich. Joy. 
Favourite event?
Point to Point Road Races. 
Any ambitions in cycling?
To Win? Lets be Honest, that’s what it’s about.
Any ambitions outside cycling?
To move out to Australia and open a cafe not far from the beach. I'd also like to learn a bit more computer programming. 
What is your focal point for 2008?
I don’t know the whole program yet, but probably the National Champ and Tour of Ireland and Britain. 
Where do you train?
Depends on where I am! At the moment, I live in Cheadle, so out in the lanes of Cheshire. Its good roads round here, you can stay flattish by going out west, or you can get some really good hills by heading out toward the east.

If given the choice – 
Opera or pop?
Not really into Opera, and Pop tends to be music liked by the majority. I guess some of my music falls into the Pop music, but most of my favourite stuff people tend to wonder what I’m talking about. 
Beer glass half full or half empty?
It’s full. Probably cause I don’t drink that much beer though. Ask me about a glass of wine though.... different story. 
Rain is liquid sunshine or just wet and something to grumble about?
Depends. Racing... it’s all the same. Doesn't bother me much. Training... well I grumble plenty. 
Comics or books?
Books.
Shakespeare or Jeffrey Archer?
Neither. 
Kylie or Britney?
Have you seen Britney lately? What a disgrace! Kylie any day. 
Action movies or French art house?
Both. Love all kinds of movies. From Terminator to Amelie to the Birds. 
Thatched cottages, modern or Greek classical architecture?
Modern. How cool are these Converted Barns you see everywhere. 
Flares or drainpipe trousers?
Flares. Can’t stand tight trousers. 
I like soap operas?
Do I? I didn't know that...