Charlie Hatton: Unexpected Victory in Downhill Mountain Biking Earns Him Coveted World Title
Newly-Crowned Cycling Champion Charlie Hatton Reflects on Surprise Win
Charlie Hatton, the newly-crowned mountain bike downhill world champion, admits to feeling like he has “skipped a few steps” in his career after becoming the surprise gold medallist last weekend. The 25-year-old shocked the world with his exceptional performance in Fort William.
Hatton, hailing from the Forest of Dean, is humbled by his unexpected triumph. He explains, “To be honest, my best World Cup finish was seventh place – not exactly what you would expect from a world champion. It feels surreal to have taken such a massive leap forward.”
While Hatton’s win may have come as a surprise to many, it wasn’t entirely out of nowhere. Having grown up racing on the Fort William course since his teenage years and being familiar with its nuances gave him an advantage over other competitors. Furthermore, having previously finished third at the National Downhill Series held at the same venue in May provided valuable experience and confidence.
“Fort William has always been one of my favorite tracks on the World Cup circuit,” says Hatton. “I’ve raced here countless times since I was young, so winning a World Championship title here is truly a dream come true.”
Despite qualifying sixth before the final race day, Hatton believed that securing first place was merely wishful thinking due to challenging weather conditions marked by heavy rain and muddy terrain. In retrospect though he states confidently: “It all comes down to hitting your lines perfectly even under tough circumstances like these; thankfully, I managed to maintain control throughout and had an incredible run.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hatton acknowledges the unwavering support of his parents who tirelessly drove him to various races across the country. He says with gratitude, “My parents have invested so much time, effort, and money into my career. This victory is a reward for their dedication and belief in me.”
Hatton also attributes some of his success to growing up surrounded by nature’s playground within reach from his doorstep: “Living where I do has been a tremendous advantage. Being able to step outside and explore the woods every day after school allowed me to develop my skills and passion for cycling in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
As the newly-crowned world champion, Hatton will now have the honor of donning the iconic rainbow striped jersey for the next 12 months – a symbol that sets him apart from other competitors. Excited about this privilege, he shares: “Wearing these stripes until next year’s World Championships is an incredible feeling; I can’t wait to put on that jersey and compete in my first race as reigning champion!”