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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.