In this second episode, Nathan Haas shares his inspiring journey from being a young, talented athlete in Australia to racing for some of the sport's biggest World Tour teams.
He discusses the challenges he faced transitioning from downhill mountainbiking to road racing, the importance of team dynamics, and the evolution of Girona as a cycling hub.
Nathan also delves into his collaborations with architect and designer Richard Pearce, exploring the creative design process behind Castelli’s exclusive R-A/D Collection and the significance of gravel racing in today’s cycling culture.
We sat down with him in his hometown of Girona to talk about his entry into cycling and the lessons he’s learned as a pro that can inspire others.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:08 Overview
03:25 The Journey Begins: Nathan Haas' Early Days
02:44 From Downhill to World Tour: The Transition
06:09 Navigating the World Tour: Challenges and Triumphs
08:57 The Importance of Team Dynamics in Cycling
12:14 The Evolution of Girona as a Cycling Hub
14:58 Cultural Insights: Riding for French Teams
18:11 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Professional Cycling
21:03 Designing the Future: Collaborations with Richard Pérez
23:51 The Full Circle Journey: From Dirt to Road to Gravel
27:10 The Science of Gravel: DNA and Design
30:05 The Art of Cycling Apparel: A Deep Dive into Jerseys
32:56 Reflections and Future Aspirations
37:29 Ending
– LINKS –
Richard Pearce, R–A/D Collection
https://www.castelli-cycling.com/highlights/r-ad-collection
Designing the R—AD Collection: A history of passion
Nathan: https://youtu.be/XnBd7oeEggU
Richard Paerce: https://youtu.be/5NobK1ER4MY
– GUEST –
Born in Australia, Nathan Haas was originally a mountain biker and represented Australia at two UCI World Championships. In 2009, he switched to road racing, competing in the World Tour for a decade before transitioning to gravel racing in 2021. He has lived in Girona, Spain, since 2012.
CONNECT
– HOST –
Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.
CONNECT