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…


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.

READ MORE

The race to a million: are seven-figure salaries the best way to grow women's cycling?

The race to a million: are seven-figure salaries the best way to grow women's cycling?

Will it be Paula Blasi? Or have Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot already beaten the Spanish sensation to the million-Euro annual salary mark? That's only...

Read more
How Franziska Koch became cycling's latest big star: 'It's taken me by surprise'

How Franziska Koch became cycling's latest big star: 'It's taken me by surprise'

FDJ United-Suez scouts deserve a raise: Franziska Koch has been nothing short of a revelation in the 2026 season

Read more
Business as usual: Does the Tour de France ever get old for riders or their families?

Business as usual: Does the Tour de France ever get old for riders or their families?

The average number of Tour de France appearances per rider this year is approximately 3.4 participations. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed debutants have been making headlines enough...

Read more
'Haters gonna hate': Pogačar steals the show on Bastille Day

'Haters gonna hate': Pogačar steals the show on Bastille Day

France dreamed of a local victor on its national day. Instead, Tadej Pogačar lit up stage 10 with another trademark attack. Begrudged 'chapeaus' abound in...

Read more
Tadej Pogačar celebrates on the podium in the yellow jersey during the 2026 Tour de France.

'It's not Pogačar's fault he's so good' - Eddy Merckx on the Tour de France's current generation of GC stars

The five-time yellow jersey winner is still an avid watcher of the sport – he tells Rouleur his thoughts on the Pogačar-era of bike racing

Read more
Bastille Day at the Tour: can a Frenchman end the wait?

Bastille Day at the Tour: can a Frenchman end the wait?

Bastille Day is the biggest day of the year for French cycling fans, and the wait for a home winner has dragged on since Warren...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE