World Cup: SA’s Alan Hatherly wins in France | Why is this win VERY significant?
“I had the confidence to make it hard just before the last lap just to take the edge off the guys. I’m incredibly happy.” – Alan
In a sport as unforgiving and brutal as XC racing, winning a World Cup is an achievement that most riders only dream about. When a win does happen, the ‘moment’ passes by very quickly for the athlete and it should be celebrated, enjoyed and processed – to it’s fullest. Especially this one! Here’s why:
Alan’s win at Friday’s XCC is significant because despite many podium results (*he is one of the most consistent riders in the Elite Men’s field) it’s his first World Cup win this season – proving he is as capable as ever, of beating the best. Mentally, a win can catapult a racer to a new level of self-belief, and in this game, as a pro, simply believing you can perform, is just as important as pure watt numbers.
The manner in which he won is also significant. It was another display of his uncanny intuition that helps him read the race. Knowing when to ‘sit in’, when to close gaps and when to open the throttle at the front, putting the field into a world of hurt is a skill on it’s own. Don’t get me wrong, Alan is a powerful rider, but he is also a very intelligent racer with race-craft that is at times, simply unmatched. In my opinion, (*putting my green-mamba bias aside) he is one of, if not the smartest racers, in the entire Elite Men’s field.
At just three weeks ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games XCO race, this win signals good form at the right time for Alan. Next up is Sunday’s XCO race and with all three riders of Cannondale Factory Racing securing a front row start, they’ll have yet more significant moments to savour and celebrate. Chapeau to you Alan and all involved.
In the Elite Women’s race, Candice Lill was on track for another podium before suffering a drivetrain related mechanical that took her out of the race. Tyler Jacobs placed 15th in the Women’s U23 race and Luke Moir placed 27th in his race.
Race Highlights
Elite Men XCC
Elite Women XCC
| IMAGES: Karolina Krasinska of RBCP |