After making his WorldTour debut last year, the learning curve has been steep, but the results are starting to show. “I learned a lot last year, and it’s been a lot easier and smoother this season. I wouldn’t say I know everything yet, I’m still learning, but enjoying the process. I just need a bit of time and if I can continue at the same rate of progression, I’ll be super happy.”
Embracing the chaos of the peloton
“That was all the point of changing to a road project, to be challenged, to be out of my comfort zone, so I can grow and develop as an athlete,” Hatherly said. “I’m getting exactly that. Everything is a challenge and I’m enjoying that a lot.”
The biggest hurdle hasn’t been the physical effort, but the mental stress of riding in a tightly packed peloton where crashes can happen in the blink of an eye. “As a mountain biker, you take risks but you’re in control of your risks. In road racing it’s so much about positioning and the risk is completely out of your control. You put yourself in a position in the peloton and hope for the best, that nobody in front of you crashes. That took quite a lot of mental work for me to overcome. My bike skills are good but there’s nothing you can do about the other riders.”
Hatherly won the MTB World Championships in 2024 and 2025
Next stop: The Giro d’Italia?
Hatherly’s standout performance at Tirreno-Adriatico goes a long way toward cementing his spot on the Jayco AlUla roster for the upcoming Giro d’Italia. He will tackle the Coppi e Bartali stage race in late March before fully focusing on his Grand Tour debut, pushing any mountain bike returns to the summer World Cup season.
“I’m on the long list for the Giro to Italia, so I’ve geared my pre-season around making the Giro team. Hopefully I can seal the deal at Tirreno-Adriatico and so head to the Giro,” Hatherly said. “It’ll be a whole new adventure for me. It’d be about trying to survive three weeks in a Grand Tour. It’s a completely massive project but it’ll be super exciting to try the next step in my road career.”