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Shaggy at the Tour of Utah. Photo by Tommy Chandler http://www.realcyclist.com/
Name: Alex "Shaggy" Hagman
Team: ?, Kind of up in the air, hoping it will be On the Rivet Sport p/b: someone with lots of $$$$$$
Age: 26
Years Racing: 11
Years as a Pro: 5
Type of Rider: climber
FtC Resident Since: Spring of 2009
1. Alex, you’re coming off a great result in the Tour of Utah. 4th on the final stage and 8th in the GC. Is this the best result of your career? Yea, I would say it probably is. I have had a lot of other wins and National Championship titles before, but this, considering the talent and the stage was probably the best ride of my career.
2. I raced against you at the beginning of August in Salida and you were pretty much sucking it up just like me. What’s your secret to coming into form so quick? Hey man, take it easy... I just wasn't showing my talent off, HA, you were suffering! That was a build up for Utah and I was beginning to find some legs in Salida. I had a really good training regime of high and low altitude work, with some special training using O2. I have been a coach for several years and helping others has really helped me identify what I need to build form. Everything came together just right as it usually does late season for me.
3. This season had to be pretty frustrating for you as far as the team goes. Can you let us in on what happened? Yea, it was really frustrating for sure. I mean it was kind of like the .com boom and bust. The team had great intentions of "giving back" and developing young riders. I believe in those things because most professional athletes are take take take and never giving back to the cycling community. The development of the Bahati team was too fast, not professionally run, and needed a lot more help. The guys who were trying to run it are all pretty good guys but they didn't play their hand quite right and it effected a lot of people. Some positive things are coming out of all of it though, like the development of a new squad! More to come about that....
4. Has this result helped you secure a contract for next season? I am certainly talking with people and managements. I really want to be able to ride with the same guys like Cesar, Corey, Nathan, Evan and the other core guys that I raced with this year, and that would happen if, or when On the Rivet Management finds a title sponsor.
5. If not, what’s the plan for next year? The plan for next year? Ask me in about a month and will let you know if I have a pro contract or not. I have a small business on the side that is in the wellness industry that I will definitely continue to grow, but racing I hope, will take up most of my time and energy.
6. What’s the plan for the rest of your season? I will probably do a couple of more races, perhaps, but mostly will hit the fat tires (the bike and the beer kind) and have some fun staying in shape.
7. Do you race cross? Any body want to loan me a CX bike to race on? Love it, but don't have a bike.
8. How about MTB? MTB action rocks!! I have not raced on the MTB in years but really love it. I like to follow it, and see all the guys that I used to race against still racing and doing well.
9. What’s your goal for your cycling career? Every year I have been improving more and more, so I guess I would eventually like be able to win a couple of big events, some big stages etc. I just like the lifestyle, the travel, time freedom, and people that I meet. If I can keep that going I then I have reached my goals.
10. Favorite local race? Wednesday Worlds! or course!
11. Favorite race in the US? Tour of Gila, Tour of Utah, or USPro Championships
12. Favorite local climb. Rist
13. Favorite local ride. Anything long and in the mountains especially off the main roads, and on dirt.
14. Favorite FtC restaurant. I have to give a shout out to Backcountry Provisions and Cafe Mexicali! Good food and good prices.
15. Where did you live before you landed in the FtC? Georgia! Can you believe it. Life is a bit different down south, but people are fun!
16. You had a great race in Steamboat last year are you going back? I will try and make it happen...but its hard you know? Tour de Fat, or Steamboat. Ugh tough decisions...
17. I met your little lady down in Salida, what does she think about this whole bike racing thing? Lauren? I pretty sure she thinks its a little crazy, but I think she likes the people a the races and the places that we go for races. She makes fun of me for getting tired on a couple mile hike or walking round downtown when I do races that are 100 miles long. She gives me S#!T for it, but its good, she keeps me in check with reality. She is the best!
18. Cycling News or Velo News where do you go first? Cyclingnews, better coverage most of the time.
19. Early bird or night owl? Depends, you buying beer tonight?
20. What do you eat before a big road race? The best is when fresh veggies and fruit are ripe in the summer. Bacon, eggs, oatmeal, peaches and coffee are my favorite.
21. What other FtC cycling personality should I interview. Someone like Dave Kemp would be good. Total advocate for all the bike represents, or Sarah Uhl who knows racing but just lives for what the bike is in its simplicity.
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