First Name: Chris
Last Name: Birch
Nickname: Birchy (other one is a bit rude)
Homepage: www.birchy.co.nz
Profession: Engineer
Helmet size: Medium
Favourite music: New Zealand Dub and D&B
Favourite food: Pasta
Hobbies: Mountain biking, street, trials and DH
Other sponsors: KTM, Acerbis, Pro Grip, Sidi, HJC, Motorex, Victor electrical and data
Short CV/resume:
Most emotional performance in sports:
Finishing the ISDE in New Zealand on gold. I crossed the line and my dad was the first person I saw, and he was already in tears. He'd been on about the side since I was a kid.
Genie gives you one wish, what is it?
That I would have the means to travel the world with every bike, toy or piece of gear necessary to experience everything out there.
What other sports do you respect a lot?
I have a lot of respect for the extreme multi sport guys that push their bodies so hard. I would love to be able to ride a mountain bike like Aaron Chase!
A short quote about Red Bull:
Red bull has helped to make extreme sports a global phenomenon, making something like trying to ride a motorcycle up a mountain into an awesome sport.
Red Bull usage in training/competition - Favourite Red Bull Drink:
I use red bull when I need an extra kick to get me into a training session or when I need a boost to get me to the end of a race.
Schedule for 2008:
National Enduro Championship round five Hawkes bay September 16
Nelson 6hr XC Nelson September 23
National Enduro Championship round six Auckland September 29
Suzuki 6hr Challenge Hawkes Bay October 6
Final round TTR Enduro Championship Tokoroa October 13
New Zealand Trials Championship Napier October 20/21/22
Training day (coaching) November 3/4 Christchurch and 17/18 Auckland
Red Bull Last man standing December 7/8
Plans for 2009:
For 2008 I want to take on Red Bull Romaniacs, Erzberg and Red Bull Last man Standing. I want to win the New Zealand Enduro championship overall.
Sporting achievements / best results:
Third Place at Red Bull Romaniacs 2008
Third Place at Red Bull Romaniacs 2007
Five times New Zealand Enduro champion
