New to the team in 2023, Alex brings across his wealth of experience with his seven years so far as a professional. He won the Australian road race title in 2018 but also played an integral part in numerous wins for his team over the years – both in the sprint train, but also helping Simon Yates to win the 2018 Vuelta a España for example.
Yet, Alex isn’t from cycling blood and although his parents are active people, it was because of his older brother that he got into life on two wheels – first trying his hand at downhill mountain biking. His sister was then picked up by a talent identification program in Australia and started doing track, so Alex followed in her footsteps too and “hopped on the boards”.
Originally combining his track cycling with downhill, football and cricket, which he quickly stopped because it was “too boring”, he eventually had to make the choice and “cycling took the cake”.
“In downhill I used to just win medals but in my first cycling race I won 100 dollars, and as a youngster that really opened up my eyes”, he laughs.
At first it was just the velodrome where he “went round in circles”. An understated answer from Alex who went on to become a junior and elite world champion on the track, alongside medalling at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games before he soon started to dabble in road cycling and eventually made the switch full-time in 2016 after the Olympic Games in Rio.
His time on the track did help him greatly as a rider, teaching him how to pedal properly, improve his bike handling skills and to how to win a race – plus more. Although Alex admits it was still a big learning curve, it was one he soon settled into.
Reflecting on his career so far, you might guess that his fondest memory as a pro is that Aussie title, but instead the humble Alex takes his biggest pride from being part of the Vuelta winning squad as it was a race that embodies his background in the sport.
“Coming from a track background and the team pursuit, cycling is all about getting that team win – so to ride into Madrid with a glass of champagne beside seven other guys who have given their all for each other over the three weeks – that was something absolutely surreal.”
Describing himself as a “goal-setter”, “caring” and “upbeat”, Alex hopes his nature lends itself well to the team where he’s looking forward to getting in amongst it, both by offering advice or guidance to some of the younger riders with his experience. He’s also confident that he can learn a lot from them and the team around him too, with it all being a bit of a “refresher” for him.
Either way, “what you see is what you get” with Alex and he doesn’t like to keep his cards close to his chest – although despite that, he did reveal his hidden talent was that he can ride a unicycle – but we guess that’s now out on the table too!
Away from riding his bike when training or racing, he enjoys going hiking in the hills and mountains around where he stays or likes to go out to the local golf course and practice his swing.
