Alex Dowsett: A New Phase of Life

Words and Photography by Andy Thornley

Speaking to Simpson at the Tour of Britain, Dowsett spills the beans on how parenthood has changed him and how he now views racing his bike.

In 2011, Alex Dowsett won his first National Time Trial title. Fast forward through his successful career and five more national TT jerseys, Dowsett has a new perspective on life and racing now he is a new father to a baby girl, Juliette.

It feels a little disrespectful to fast-forward through Dowsett’s career, however. His palmarès also include the Hour Record, a top five finish in the World Championships TT, a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and a stage of the Giro.

But for a sport which demands you to be away from home so much, how has he found adapting to this new phase of life?

“It’s hard; it got a lot harder. Early on, everything was still new with having Juliette and I had a hiatus with racing where I got the chance to be there every single day and get fully stuck in to dad life and I really enjoyed it.

“Then, I found going to the Tour of Deutschland so much harder than I did for the early season races. Selfishly, you feel like you’re missing out on that time to bond so I found myself much more emotional than I anticipated.”

Does it make racing matter more given you’re missing that time?

“No, it makes racing matter a bit less.

“It’s nice, I find myself a bit more relaxed because I know it’s not the be all and end all. I get to go home and see my little girl and racing doesn’t really matter then because she’s far more important.”

Simpson Magazine was speaking to Dowsett at the Tour of Britain, a race where thankfully, his family could watch, and he got to spend time with them before and after stages.

Sleep and adaptation play such a vital role for athletes at the very top of their sport. However, as any new parent will attest, sleep and parenthood are not two things that often go together.

“That’s where Chantel [Dowsett’s partner] is phenomenal. She completely understands what’s required and she understands I’m entering the last few years of my career and there’s things I want to do.

“I wrote off the Olympics [in 2024] but I’m not sure that ship has completely sailed with the flatter nature of Paris, so I’ll give that a go and see what happens.”

Dowsett’s attempt to reclaim the Hour Record 2020 was unfortunately thwarted after contracting Covid, cancelling his plans in order to focus on his recovery. However, he’s currently in Mexico ahead of his re-attempt, something he’s remarkably relaxed about.

“An hour record would be nice still – we’ll see and I’ll just kind of enjoy it; there’s worse ways to make a living.”

However, in terms of legacy Dowsett was also keen the memories we hold of him are not just of a man who only races the clock.

“I enjoy the lead-outs; I get pigeon-holed as a time-triallist but I think I’m a good lead-out man as well. I’d like to be known as that as well.”