Leuchs (30), a professional mountain biker who lives in France, is back in his old home town on a break of four and a-half months, and has formed the Roadcraft team with fellow mountain biker Marcus Roy, to compete in events during the next six weeks.
It is part of a change for Leuchs, who has been based in Europe, grinding away on the professional mountain biking circuit for more than 10 years.
"I'm not winding down from mountain biking. But I suppose I'm making a few changes, looking at new opportunities, new ideas," Leuchs said.
"I need a bit of a breather - to take a bit of time away from the scene.
"To get up to the Olympic level, you need to dedicate your whole life to the sport. I've been doing that for the past 10 years. Now it's time for a change. I'm not sure where it is heading."
Leuchs, who is staying with family in Dunedin, would ride this weekend in a two-day race at the Mavora Lakes, near Te Anau. He would then compete in the Otago Peninsula Challenge on February 1, the Alpine Epic race at the end of February from Mt Somers to Tekapo, and the Motatapu Icebreaker on March 14.
"Marcus is a good friend of mine and these are races I want to do right now. New Zealanders have got a real passion for mountain biking and that is where I want to be."
He has cut back on his training, saying he has been for only three rides in the past week, but still has a contract for the next four years with the French Felt team.
He heads back to Europe in mid-March and would compete on the World Cup circuit, but is trying to find a solution to an asthma problem, which ruined his last season, during which he was a disappointing 24th at the Beijing Olympics.
"I'm doing a lot of specific breathing exercises, doing some pilates and working at the gym. The thing with asthma is no-one really knows what causes it - the triggers. Inhalers treat the symptoms but doesn't get rid of it."
Leuchs could aim for the London Olympics in 2012 but would evaluate how this year went in Europe before making a decision.
He is studying a philosophy paper at the University of Otago summer school, the first time he has done any study in 13 years.
"Philosophy is a pretty interesting subject to do. I've got this feeling I need to figure out the next stage of my life and that paper fits in nicely."
