In a breathtaking display of raw power and calculated strategy on Sunday, 14 September 2025 South Africa’s Alan Hatherly cemented his legacy on the mountain biking stage, successfully defending his Men Elite Cross-country Olympic (XCO) UCI World Champion title in Valais, Switzerland. Hatherly, who claimed the rainbow jersey for the first time in 2024, put on a performance that left his competitors trailing in his wake, reaffirming his status as the sport’s preeminent figure. His victory was the culmination of a season focused on balancing both mountain bike and road cycling, proving that a dual-discipline approach can still lead to the pinnacle of a single sport.
From the starting gun, the race was a high-stakes affair. Hatherly, along with early leaders Victor Koretzky and Christopher Blevins, set a blistering pace. However, the South African’s decisive move came on the second of nine laps. After an early mistake by Koretzky, Hatherly seized his opportunity, launching a powerful, solo attack that no one could match. From that moment on, Hatherly was in a race against the clock, riding with a metronomic rhythm and consistently clocking sub-10 minute laps. He built a commanding lead of over 90 seconds, turning the tactical chess match behind him into a battle for the remaining podium spots.
A Year of Unprecedented Triumphs
Hatherly’s 2025 World Championship win is the latest jewel in a crown of remarkable achievements. Just a year prior, he made history by becoming the first African and non-European male to win a medal in the Olympic XCO event, securing a hard-fought bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He also finished the 2024 season as the overall UCI XCO World Cup Series winner, demonstrating a consistency and durability that few others possess.
Insight into the Mind of a Champion
After crossing the finish line in glorious isolation, Hatherly reflected on his monumental effort and his pre-race strategy. “I just had one of those days,” he said. “It’ll be hard for me to repeat a performance like that. All the stars aligned.” He added a key insight into his mental approach, explaining his strategy from the very start. “Before the race, I said it was going to be a time trial and a less tactical race and I guess I did that from the beginning, taking it straight on and just TT-ing it all way through. With two or three laps to go I started to feel the effort of going so early but the gap was so big I could just consolidate and see it through.”
His victory stands not only as a testament to his immense talent, but also as a tribute to the dedication and focused planning required to achieve greatness on the world’s biggest stage.
