Hattie Harnden's breakout 2021 rolls on
Hattie Harnden’s continued her incredible run of form this past weekend, winning the British women’s U23 cross country mountain bike title on a dusty course in Plymouth.
The gold medal adds to an already well-decorated shelf of national accolades — Harnden has two junior XC British titles, and junior and elite cyclocross British titles. It also emphasizes what is already a breakout year for the 20-year-old multi-disciplined racer. Harnden entered nationals coming off her first elite win in the Enduro World Series after consecutive podiums, and top 10 finishes in each of her three Under 23 World Cup appearances, including fifth place in Nove Mesto.
Hattie Harnden entered the race worried that the fast, dusty track might not suit her.
Harnden won her latest race by more than two minutes over silver medalist Anna Kay. As soon as Harnden got the lead, she never let it go.
“I really wanted to win this one and it would mean so much to me if I did,” Harnden said after the race. “Very proud of this one and I will take every opportunity to show off these beautiful stripes. It had been two years since I last raced in the UK at an XC National, it was great to be back!”
Harnden entered the race worried that the course wouldn’t suit her. The track was fast, dusty and full of sprints out of corners down fire roads. An inauspicious start didn’t help.
Harnden's latest national title was the fifth of her young career.
“With Anna Kay racing, an amazing cyclocross racer, the competition was high and I was very nervous,” Harnden said. “I missed my pedal on the start, but knew I couldn’t let a gap open up.”
Harnden clung to Kay on the first lap, then capitalized when Kay made a mistake in the track’s rock garden.
“I did my best to put time between us. The rest of the race I just gave it everything and couldn’t have been more happy with how it went,” Harnden said. “I felt like I have been working really hard, so it felt amazing to see it paying off.”
Harnden is off to a well-earned six-week break before taking on another EWS event.
Harnden will take a well-earned break after nationals. Her next race is scheduled to be the EWS Loudenvielle double in September. After nearly a year of densely packed cyclocross, XC and enduro racing, having a chance to breathe and take stock of her season should be a relief.
“I think a nice chunk of time at home before the next one will do the mind and the body some real good,” Harden said. “It’s a time I really enjoy. As much as I love being away racing with my second family, I do love going home.”
