25
KATIE
HALL
BIRTH YEAR COUNTRY
1987 US
SPECIALTY:
CLIMBER
KATIE HALL / UNITED STATES
KATIE HALL MAKES HER DÉBUT FOR THE BOELS-DOLMANS
SQUAD THIS YEAR. THE 32-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN RIDER,
WHO LAST YEAR WON THE AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA,
THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS VICTORY OF HER CAREER, IS
A TALENTED CLIMBER. HALL, WHO IS LIGHTLY BUILT,
RELISHES UPHILL RACING, “THAT’S WHERE MY ABILITIES
AND PASSION LIE, I LOVE IT.”
Hall's cycling CV is slightly unusual. This latecomer (26 years
old) discovered her love of cycling while commuting to a summer
job where she rode 30 km to work and back every day. Hall
began riding races while studying for her PhD in molecular toxicology
at the University in California-Berkeley: “I was the only
postgraduate student to begin the programme that year. Out of
boredom and a desire to do something with this natural ability,
I joined the university club and started racing.” The rest is history.
Hall, who had a good season with UnitedHealthcare in multi-day
races last year, mainly in America, will focus this year on the
races in the Ardennes, the Amstel Gold Race and the Giro Rosa.
“I want to give Anna as much support as possible in the climbs.”
Hall is very much looking forward to contributing to the team.
“I am extremely motivated and want to play a major role in the victories
that we achieve as a team, no matter who wins in the end.”
She also finds the international aspect of the current group very
appealing. The different cultures, languages and customs are
an added bonus, she says. Hall, who mainly excels in riding fast
uphill, is very curious about the European races. “I am going to
learn a great deal from my teammates during the coming weeks.
I am eager to learn by nature. One of the things I need to improve
is my positioning within the peloton.“I have little experience
with European races and no knowledge of the terrain for many
courses. Racing in Europe is very different. Not only are the
roads narrower, many more obstacles lie in wait for the riders.
"A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
TO PIT MYSELF AGAINST
THE TOP RIDERS IN
WOMEN’S CYCLING "
The peloton is larger and there is much fiercer competition with
the other teams and riders. I see this as a unique opportunity to
pit myself against the top riders in women’s cycling.” Extremely
positive by nature, Hall feels that she adds a ‘new dimension’
to the team. “I feel stronger every year and I want to continue
that progression within my new team. I am very much looking
forward to the first race of the new season.”
TEAM MEMBER SINCE:
2019