Worlds Watch - Max Hobson
Welcome to Worlds Watch! The 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are fast approaching, and Australia will be sending its biggest ever team to the Czech city of Tábor to compete.
To help you get to know the members of the team who’ll be racing for the rainbow bands, we’ll be profiling each of the riders competing over the next week.
Our sixth rider profile is Max Hobson, who’ll toe the start line in the Men’s U23 world championship this Saturday February 3rd.
Rider name
Max Hobson
Instagram handle
Club & State
Brisbane, QLD.
Team/Sponsors
Giant Indooroopilly
Have you raced at worlds before?
This is my first World Champs for cyclocross.
Tell us about your prep for worlds!
My preparation for the 2024 world champs started in 2023 with a big block of Queensland and National road racing, leading into the Tour of Tasmania. Not only did this get me very fit, it also led me to my first NRS win which was a great high leading into my euro racing campaign.
Shortly after I had a short racing stint in Japan for the UCI Lake Biwako C2. This saw me finish top 10, although I think being the first cross race in 2 months I had struggled a bit to get my legs firing. Upon returning I had around 2 weeks to get ready before I jetted off to Belgium on the 16th of December.
How are you feeling heading into worlds?
I've had a blast racing here in Belgium so far, despite the immense amount of mud, fierce racing, and consistent crashing. My results have been mixed, mostly top 50s, one top 20 and only 1 DNF. Overall, I am very happy with how I have gone for my first time racing in the motherland of cross.
What are you hoping to get out of your worlds experience?
At the 2024 Cyclocross Worlds I am looking to finish on the lead lap, although this may sound 'easy', finishing on the lead lap is quite an achievement over here. Most importantly, this trip has been all about gaining experience to come over again in the future. The lessons I've learned from this trip have far outweighed the cost, sacrifice and occasional isolation that have come with it.
How do we spot you on course?
If you're looking to spot me on course, I am riding a blue/purple Giant TCX Advanced Pro with a black helmet and bright blue shoes.
Attending the world championships is expensive, so if you’d like to help Max cover his costs, you can donate to his fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/37hhd0ubfc
Photos for this article provided by @maxxhobson.
