Transcontinental race winner James Hayden talks to fellow TCR rider Richard Abraham about what it takes to ride and win one of the toughest adventure races on earth
This August James Hayden won his second successive Transcontinental Race, a 4,000km self-supported ultra-endurance race from Geraardsbergen in Belgium to Meteora in Greece. He crossed four mountainous control points in Austria, Slovenia, Poland and Bosnia and made it to the finish in just eight days, 22 hours and 59 minutes, finishing more than a day ahead of second-placed Björn Lenhard.
Not long after Hayden had finished, journalist Richard Abraham’s first Transcontinental Race came to a premature end with injury in Hungary. When both were home and recovering, the two compared notes and reflected on their experiences.
Richard Abraham: What were the physical effects on you when you finished?
James Hayden: Not that bad. In the past I’ve had a partial tear in my hamstring and some big scars on my sit bones and a swollen ankle, that sort of thing. This year that all went within four days. It was quite surprising really, I think it’s just experience.
RA: This was your fourth start, so has your body just got used to it now?
JH: In the past I’ve just pushed a bit too far — not necessarily overall but on certain days — which has had long-term repercussions. I know where the limits are now, and how to work with them rather than over them. But you did it this year, right?
RA: Yeah, I made it to Hungary, between control points three and four. And then I kind of broke down, physically and then emotionally.
JH: It’s a domino kind of thing. The danger is that as soon as there’s one inkling of doubt, or lack of confidence creeps in, because of your mental state it just blows up and you can’t fight it. Would you come back next year?
Esta historia es de la edición November 15, 2018 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 15, 2018 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain