The mountain bike world champion talks with Escape about racing his first Grand Tour, balancing disciplines, and how his road racing is a key stepping stone to his big goal: mountain bike gold at the 2028 Oympics.
Cor Vos
It’s year two of Alan Hatherly’s multi-discipline move as the XCO mountain bike world champion takes on the second year of his contract with Jayco-AlUla; the perfect moment for a debut Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia.
The 30-year-old has had a good road season so far, finishing 13th at Tirreno-Adriatico before climbing onto the overall podium at Coppi e Bartali, but the Giro is another world altogether for a rider who has spent the last decade as a professional racing over mud rather than tarmac.
The Giro is all part of a wider plan for Hatherly as he looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the target above all others in his mind. However, Hatherly has goals on the road too, and views this 3,500 km journey from the Black Sea to Rome as a key stepping stone for what’s to come.
Escape spoke to Hatherly as the South African rode in Jayco-AlUla’s team bus en route to the Giro’s team presentation in Nessebar, Bulgaria.
Dan Challis: You’re two days out from your first Giro d’Italia, describe the emotions ahead of the race.
Alan Hatherly: There’s no major expectations from my side. I mean, I’m going with an open mind and just there to do the best job possible for the team. Obviously if an opportunity arises, I’m going to take it. But yeah, I think it’s one of those things when you start your first Grand Tour, it would be too much to expect anything crazy.
How will the Giro d’Italia’s Bulgarian start measure up?
The unusual choice for the race’s three-day Grande Partenza highlights Bulgaria’s surprisingly long history in cycling, its fresh natural wonders for the sport, and the gaps in its current racing culture.
DC: You’ve had a couple of days to get to know Bulgaria a little. What are your first impressions?
AH: It’s my first time. The biggest thing I must say is the road awareness with vehicles is probably the best I’ve actually ever seen. It’s even better than Spain, which was a big surprise. We’ve had really good training out here with really happy people on the side of the streets and they enjoy having us here, which I think makes it all worthwhile to come out and start somewhere like here.
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