Michael Torckler

Michael Torckler
Personal information
Full name	Michael Torckler
Born	12 April 1987 (age 37)
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	All-rounder
Professional teams
2013	Bissell (cycling team)
2014	Team SmartStop
2015	Team Budget Forklifts

Michael Torckler (born 12 April 1987 in New Zealand) is a professional cyclist and is currently a member of the Australian cycling team, Budget Forklifts.

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 wasn't 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.^[1]