Alan Hatherly, South African XCO Champ and former U23 World Champ, has been having a brilliant season so far, riding consistently and improving through the season. Alan managed to take his first World Cup short track win at Petropolis, Brazil, in April and took his first Olympic distance podium position of the season, coming 5th in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, in May.
Having placed 4th in two XCO World Cups last year, Alan has been searching for more, each race this season he has looked comfortable in the front bunch for the majority of the race, but as the pace picks up in the last lap or two he has struggled to go with the leaders. However, in Leogang, Austria, Alan rode an incredibly strong and consistent race, managing to take his best Elite XCO position, finishing in 3rd just behind Mathias Flückiger and Nino Schurter.
Alan is currently training at altitude and will not be returning to South Africa to defend his National title in Bloemfontein, choosing rather to focus on preparing for the next World Cup in Lenzerheide. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for Alan!
