Nathan Haas: In another life

Nathan Haas: In another life

Academic, politician, ballet dancer. Had he not discovered he had the legs for cycling, things might have turned out very differently for Nathan Haas…

Katusha-Alpecin nathan haas Riders

Crocodile Dundee did no favours for the image of Australians. Australia has come a long way and a lot further than most people who haven’t been there for a long time would give it credit for. There are some very open-minded areas to the country and, much like anywhere, some very closed-minded areas.

 

I’m a handful of subjects away from finishing a bachelor of arts in socio-legal philosophy at the University of Sydney. Some people call it the poor man’s law degree. It’s the philosophy behind policy making, so when you are looking at laws being written or debated, you are looking from an anthropological, sociological and legal background as to who it would affect – what the repercussions are. It is also about learning to write policy, not just come up with ideas.

 

Nathan Haas Q&A: For the love of cycling

 

I was always really into politics in Australia – I was a member of the Young Labor party and used to campaign for them. Coming from Canberra, I saw myself going into public service there somehow. That was always my dream when I was at university. But my legs took over and I became a cyclist. You only have so much bandwidth when you are exhausted from cycling every day.

 

A lot of physios have told me I am in the wrong business, and I should be a ballet dancer like my mum. All of the flexibility that you need has fallen into my feet. I have perfect turn-out. Every dancer I have met says they wish they had my feet. I don’t know if that’s genetics or just good luck. But as a cyclist, it’s a complete pain in the arse, because when you have hypermobile joints, stability is an issue.

 

This article was originally published in Rouleur 18.2

 

 


The post Nathan Haas: In another life appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Katusha-Alpecin nathan haas Riders

READ MORE

All in for the cobbled classics - can Wout van Aert's adjusted programme finally deliver the victory he longs for?

All in for the cobbled classics - can Wout van Aert's adjusted programme finally deliver the victory he longs for?

The Visma-Lease a Bike rider will be hoping his strong start in the cyclocross field stays with him on the road 

Read more
'He had a deep passion for the sport and really loved the riders' - Remembering Gianni Savio

'He had a deep passion for the sport and really loved the riders' - Remembering Gianni Savio

The larger-than-life Italian manager died in in December, aged 76

Read more
Lachlan Morton: I won Unbound Gravel by going back to basics

Lachlan Morton: I won Unbound Gravel by going back to basics

The EF Education-EasyPost rider tells Rouleur about his biggest victory, completing a record-breaking lap of Australia and what’s next

Read more
Life after racing - why I'm training to be a doctor, by Max Walscheid

Life after racing - why I'm training to be a doctor, by Max Walscheid

Jayco-Alula’s Max Walscheid is best known as being a leadout rider who occasionally wins himself, but away from the spotlight of the peloton, the tall...

Read more
Turning the page: Romain Bardet on why he is ready for his next chapter

Turning the page: Romain Bardet on why he is ready for his next chapter

Romain Bardet has announced that the Giro d’Italia and Critérium du Dauphiné of 2025 will be his last races as a road professional, before he...

Read more
‘It all feels a bit surreal’: Paul Double’s extraordinary rags to riches journey to the WorldTour

‘It all feels a bit surreal’: Paul Double’s extraordinary rags to riches journey to the WorldTour

After almost a decade of scrimping on savings and hand-me-downs, the British rider has finally made it as a WorldTour pro with Jayco-Alula at the...

Read more

Holiday Promotion

FREE TOTE BAG

Make the most of the season to come with an annual membership - eight of our award-winning magazines delivered to your door, plus a host of other exclusive benefits.

And until Christmas, a beautiful free tote bag too. Use the code below when subscribing to an annual print plan:

RLRTOTE
SUBSCRIBE TODAY