Michael Torckler

Michael Torckler (born 12 April 1987) is a New Zealand cyclist, who currently rides for New Zealand amateur team GD Pringle p/b Spoken Cycles.

Career During 2012, Torckler was staying at Santa Rosa, California to train for upcoming competitions. On one of his training rides, on 30 June, he was hit by a car coming around a bend. He was thrown off his bike and hit the car windshield, breaking his arm and almost killing him.

The driver fled the scene but was later caught and was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison. Meanwhile, Torckler was airlifted to the nearest hospital, where he arrived in critical condition, close to death. Although he was not brain damaged from the accident, he had no recollection of the accident. He was immediately moved to intensive care, and was discharged after only 12 days.

After returning to New Zealand after only a month after his accident, Torckler was back on his bike and starting to train again. After four months, he returned to racing at the 2012 Tour of Southland and finished the race in 61st place. Known as 'King of the Comebacks', Torckler raced in the Tour of Utah, and even won the King of the Mountains title.

In November 2014 Torckler was announced as part of the Team Budget Forklifts line-up for 2015.

Major results

2005 5th Road race, Oceania Under-23 Road Championships 2009

2nd Overall Vuelta a la Montaña Central de Asturias 6th Overall Tour of Wellington 2010 1st Overall Tour of Wellington 1st Stage 2 1st Overall San Martin Proba de Ataun 1st Overall Clásica Ciudad de Torredonjimeno 2012 1st Overall Tour of Borneo 1st Points classification 1st Stage 1 8th Overall Jelajah Malaysia 2013

4th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic 2015 3rd The REV Classic 2016 6th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic 2017 10th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic 2018 2nd Gravel and Tar 3rd Road race, National Road Championships 9th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic 2019 7th Overall New Zealand Cycle Classic 2021 2nd Road race, National Road Championships