7 Questions with Will Hardin of Project Echelon
When we launched this endeavor we did so with specific types of riders in mind. We were looking for riders that get overlooked at times because they do the hard work and take the pulls that make a difference; but because of their sacrifice, they do not often win the race. Criterium racing is a team sport, individuals may stand on the podium; but they only do so because they are hoisted there upon their teammates’ shoulders. Will Hardin, the recent Lees-Mcrae College grad and Project Echelon rider from North Carolina is the epitome of that statement. He had a moment in the sun earlier this year one later afternoon in June when he nearly held off the field, gaining up to 20 seconds of a lead and being two corners clear of the pack at Crit Nationals. But reality hit hard and he was dragged back in the final laps. He’s been the teammate since then; but now we want to give him a touch of his own spot light. We gave Will 7 questions and here are his answers:
Criterium Nation: You were desperately close to doing something which few can claim to have ever done at Criterium Nationals in Knoxville. You were up the road for an extended period of time, late in the race, with only one other rider. Tell us, had you started visualizing by the final couple laps in the lead, how you were going to win that race?
Will Hardin: The Knoxville course is challenging for a breakaway to succeed, magnified by the amount of talent willing to pull it back. The plan for the race was to use a small break to cause chaos and fatigue the other teams’ trains. Cooper and I were working well, but were on a tight leash, so the main focus was staying away. When we got enough space to think about the sprint, I planned to attack before the last two corners, which are tight, technical, and followed by a short finish straight.
CN: Bike racers tend to come from other sports, first, before they find a bike. Normally they come from running, rowing, or another endurance sport. You came from swimming and you were a lineman in football. How did that transition go for you?
WH: The transition from football to cycling was intense! I played offensive line freshman year and moved to linebacker after that. My football coaches wanted me to put on muscle, advising me to "Eat anything that isn’t tied down", and I was over 200 lbs. for my junior year. With my heart in cycling, I quit football my senior year, staying on the swim team. Often riding my bike to swim practice, I learned what bonking was in the middle of intense swim set. All the activity meant I dropped 40 lbs. by the end of that year.
CN: You've been on Project Echelon for two full seasons, when you started you were fairly new to bike racing, what do you think is the most important lesson you've learned since you joined?
WH: My teammates on Echelon have taught me a lot about racing, but the lesson with the most impact was off the bike. The team has a great culture that values developed personalities, senses of humor, and individuality. We trust, honor, and respect one another. They constantly remind me this sport is something we do for fun, and races feel like a vacation.
CN: Some lightning round action here: dirt or road? wax or lube? shave or wax? and why.
WH: Road - I can leave my house and go on some great adventures! Dirt is a close second, there’s nothing quite like the giggles I get off-road.
Wax - I’ve been waxing chains all year- it’s cleaner, faster, and makes gear last longer!
Shave - Do people actually wax their legs these days? I must admit I’m jealous of Eric Hill’s laser hair removal! (editor’s note Eric had laser hair removal done at Anton’s Spa and Medical Salon in Delafield, WI).
CN: We are fairly positive that you have the watts and the numbers dialed in; but what about the technique and the strategy of racing. What is the one thing you believe that you need to improve on in your racecraft in 2023 to make you even better?
WH: I’m working on patience this year. I love racing aggressively. Channeling that into the right moments will be critical as US racing is re-invented, and Project Echelon expands to more international competition.
CN: What is your off the bike new year's resolution?
WH: I have never committed to a new years resolution. I usually get excited and start integrating habits as soon as I think of them. Lately, I've been focused on active listening, committing all my attention to absorbing verbal and non-verbal communication.
CN: Rumor has it you are the best cycling babysitter around, even better than Ethan Craine. If so, what is the advice that you can give the rest of us on how to work as a teammate better?
WH: I’m not sure about that! Ethan got a lot of babysitting reps this year! As for teamwork in our sport, where individual performance gets the press, it’s critical to sell out for your teammates. A hard lesson, but not everything is about personal achievement. Often winning requires multiple teammates to sacrifice individual results. A successful unit is built on a commitment to one another.