Rider Profile

Name: Robbie Hassan

Primary Club: Team Opel Ibaigane

Racing Blog: http://roberthassan.blogspot.co.uk/

Biography:

I have been racing since I was 13 in 2005.

Up until 2009 I was mainly mountain bike XC racer. I won the Scottish Junior Champs and medalled in the British Champs as well.

From 2010, as a first year U23, I focussed fully on road racing, where I have won many National B senior road races.

To 2012 I was based in the UK, competing in the UK Premier Calendar events where I was competing with the best and I gained many top 15's.

In 2012, I raced the 2nd half of the season in the Basque Country, a region in the north of Spain, racing for an U23 team, Ibaigane Opel. I gained top results which got me a place in the team for the full season in 2013.

This year, I am living in a house in Zeanuri, near Bilbao, with a few Spanish riders in the team. The Basque Country is the best area in Spain for races and the hilly terrain suits my strengths as a rider. We're competing in the top Pro/Am events in Spain, the Copa Espana's, as well as some stage races and the tough Basque Country road races that take place every weekend.

My aims are to become a top professional racer and race for my country in the 2014 Commonwealth Games RR in Glasgow.

Career Highlights to Date:

Winning 8 Senior National B road races

11th overall and Stage 3 of the Tour Doonhame Premier Calendar

6th – Lakunza Elite Road Race, Navarra, Spain

10th – Beasaingo Loinaz Elite Classic, Pais Vasco, Spain

4th Junior Tour Wales 2009, Stage 5

Who Inspires you and why:

I am a fan of pro racer Cadel Evans, as he always seems to be the underdog in races but battles his way to win races like the Tour and Worlds. I am always really happy to see him win more than most of the other pro riders.

How do you celebrate/relax after a big event:

If its a big event, I am therefore usually knackered so I like to to put my feet up and do nothing!

At the end of the season I like to mountain biking a lot and go up to the Highlands and climb some mountains with my Staffies.