Nathan is a household name in cycling, having raced at the World Tour level for 10 years, participated in all Grand Tours, and sparked many conversations about the present and future of gravel cycling—all while achieving top results and inspiring others.
In this action-packed episode, we sit down with Nathan to explore gravel riding, the best routes around Girona, its coffee culture, cycling community, and why Girona has become a cycling mecca.
We also discuss the spirit of gravel, where camaraderie and competition create a passionate, welcoming community, and why events like the Iceland Rift are gaining attention. Other topics include athlete branding on social media, the rising competitiveness in gravel racing, advancements in equipment, biomechanics, and other factors driving increased speed and performance, as well as empowering women in the sport, and more.
Tune in for an episode full of insights, inspiration, and everything that makes gravel cycling unique.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:58 The Girona Coffee Culture
06:07 Favorite Castelli Product
10:07 Why Gravel is Better than World Tour Racing
10:40 Best Jersey Design
13:22 Best Girona Gravel Ride
16:13 Why Girona is a Cyclist’s Paradise
19:25 Advice for Aspiring Gravel Racers
21:33 The Best Part of Gravel Racing
26:18 Race Coverage and Athlete Branding
34:50 The Spirit of Gravel
45:23 Empowering Women
47:33 Outro
– LINKS –
Girona Coffee Shops:
https://www.instagram.com/oniriacafe/
https://www.instagram.com/tramuntana_girona
Nathan’s Favorite Ride From Girona
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/269428651
Richard Pearce, R–A/D Collection
https://www.castelli-cycling.com/highlights/r-ad-collection
– 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
https://www.instagram.com/nathanpeterhaas/
https://www.strava.com/pros/12924172
– 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
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/
1 Comment
Great episode, Soren and Nathan! And I was FINALLY able to order a Gabba R jacket in Men’s size small (inspired by Nathan’s comments and all the great reviews over the past year). This jacket has been VERY hard to find in size small for a long time. I love my Gabba and my Gabba Light versions… really looking forward to my new Gabba R! Cheers to you both and to Castelli Cycling!