1. Overview
Robert John Hayles (born on 21 January 1973) is an English professional track and road racing cyclist. Over his distinguished career, Hayles represented Great Britain and England in major international competitions, specializing in the team pursuit and Madison events on the track. He achieved significant success, earning multiple medals at the Olympic Games, UCI Track Cycling World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. Following his retirement from professional cycling in 2011, Hayles transitioned into a role as a sports analyst for television broadcasts, sharing his expertise on cycle races, notably for British Eurosport. His career also included periods riding for several professional road teams, where he competed in various classic races and won national championships. Hayles' journey exemplifies dedication and resilience in elite sport, navigating challenges and maintaining his commitment to cycling.
2. Early Life and Personal Background
Robert Hayles' early life was rooted in Hampshire, England, where he began to develop the foundations for his future athletic career.
2.1. Childhood and Family
Born in Portsmouth, England, Robert John Hayles spent his childhood living in Cowplain, a village in Hampshire. He attended Padnell Junior School during his formative years. His father, John Hayles, who passed away in 2016, was an influential figure in his life, having been an amateur racing cyclist himself before pursuing a career as a professional wrestler in his twenties. This background suggests an early exposure to competitive sports and physical discipline. Robert Hayles currently resides in Hayfield, Derbyshire, with his family. He is married to Vicky Horner, a former Olympic swimmer, and they have a daughter, who was born on 23 January 2006.
3. Cycling Career
Rob Hayles' cycling career spanned both track and road disciplines, marked by a progressive rise from amateur ranks to achieving significant international recognition and numerous medals.
3.1. Amateur and Early Professional Years
Hayles began his journey in competitive cycling as an amateur, with his early years setting the stage for his professional career. In 1994, he rode for Team Haverhill-Taylor's Foundry. The following year, in 1995, he joined All Media-Futurama. From 1996 to 1997, Hayles competed with Team Ambrosia, before moving to Team Brite in 1998. His amateur years concluded in 1999 with Tony Doyle Ltd-Clarkes Contracts. His transition to professional cycling saw him join various teams. From 2001 to 2003, he was a member of the French Cofidis team. In 2005, he rode for Recycling.co.uk, and in 2007, he was with Team KLR-Parker International. Later in his career, he joined Halfords Bikehut in 2009 and concluded his professional racing with Endura Racing from 2010 to 2011. His international debut for Great Britain at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta saw him competing in the team pursuit event, marking his entry onto the global stage.
3.2. Major International Competitions
Hayles distinguished himself in a range of major international cycling events, earning a reputation as a formidable competitor.
3.2.1. Olympic Games
Hayles participated in multiple Olympic Games, where he secured several medals for Great Britain. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, he earned a bronze medal in the team pursuit event. He also competed in the individual pursuit, where he won a silver medal, and rode the Madison with Bradley Wiggins, finishing fourth. His success continued at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where he clinched a silver medal in the team pursuit and a bronze medal in the Madison, once again alongside Bradley Wiggins. Despite his achievements, he was not selected to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
3.2.2. UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Hayles achieved considerable success at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, securing multiple world titles and other medals. At the 2000 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Manchester, he won a silver medal in the team pursuit and a bronze medal in the individual pursuit. In 2003 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart, he was part of the team that secured a silver medal in the team pursuit. The 2004 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne saw him earn two silver medals, one in the individual pursuit and another in the team pursuit. His most successful year came at the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Los Angeles, where he became a double world champion, winning gold in the team pursuit alongside Steve Cummings, Paul Manning, and Chris Newton, and another gold in the Madison with Mark Cavendish. In 2006 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Bordeaux, he added another silver medal in the team pursuit.
3.2.3. Commonwealth Games
Representing England, Hayles also medaled at the Commonwealth Games. At the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he competed in the points race and the team pursuit, earning a silver medal in the latter. His most notable performance came at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where he won a gold medal in the team pursuit, again with Steve Cummings, Paul Manning, and Chris Newton. He also secured a silver medal in the individual pursuit at the same games.
3.3. National Championships and Other Races
Beyond the international stage, Rob Hayles was a dominant force in British domestic cycling, securing numerous national titles on both road and track.
On the road, he became the National Road Race Champion in 2008. He also claimed the National Criterium Championships title in 2000 and finished second in the same event in 2008 and 2009. Other notable road victories include winning stages 2 and 7 (a team time trial) of the 1996 Tour de Langkawi, stage 7 of the 2004 Tour de Normandie, the Beaumont Trophy, Tour of Pendle, and the Blackpool Grand Prix, all in 2008. He also finished second overall in the Premier Calendar in 1997 and second in the Colne Town Centre Grand Prix in 2009. He competed in the prestigious Paris-Roubaix classic, one of cycling's five 'monuments,' three times but did not finish any of these races, yet he has stated his enduring affection for the paved classic despite his misfortunes.
On the track, Hayles won the British National Track Championships kilo event in both 1993 and 1994. He was a multi-time national champion in the Madison, winning in 1994 (with Bryan Steel), 1995 (with Russell Williams), 1997 (with Russell Williams), 1998 (with Jon Clay), and 1999 (with Bradley Wiggins). He also dominated the points race at the National Championships, securing titles in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Additionally, he won the individual pursuit national title four times consecutively from 1997 to 2000, and finished third in 2003. In 2005, he won the British National Team Pursuit and Team Time Trial Championships. He also competed in the Six Days of Grenoble, finishing second in 2000 with Bradley Wiggins. His success extended to the UCI Track World Cup, where he won the team pursuit in Sydney in 2004, the individual pursuit in Sydney in the 2005-2006 season, and the team pursuit in Manchester during the 2006-2007 and 2008-2009 seasons.
3.4. Haematocrit Issue and Doping Control
In March 2008, Rob Hayles faced a temporary suspension from competition. He was withdrawn from the Great Britain team participating in the World Track Championships in Manchester after a blood test revealed his haematocrit level was 0.3% above the permissible limit. This resulted in a 14-day suspension of his racing license. Following the suspension, his license was restored after two weeks. The rules regarding haematocrit testing in track cycling were subsequently revised. This change was implemented because the mandatory resting period before an event can naturally cause an athlete's red cell volume to exceed the 50% limit, and subsequent tests often confirmed that the riders were not engaging in doping. The rule change acknowledged that such fluctuations could occur naturally and did not necessarily indicate a deliberate attempt to cheat.
4. Retirement and Post-Cycling Activities
Robert Hayles formally announced his retirement from professional cycling on 31 October 2011, concluding a career marked by significant achievements on both track and road. Following his retirement, Hayles transitioned into a new role within the cycling world. He began providing studio-based analysis of cycle races, primarily for British Eurosport, offering his expert commentary and insights to television audiences. This allowed him to remain closely involved with the sport he dedicated his life to, sharing his deep knowledge and experience with fans. In 2013, Hayles also published a book titled "Easy Rider: My Life on a Bike," offering a personal account of his career and experiences in professional cycling.
5. Major Career Results
This section provides a comprehensive overview of Rob Hayles' most significant victories, medals, and notable placements throughout his career in both road and track cycling.
5.1. Road Racing Achievements
| Year | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tour de Langkawi | 1st Stages 2 (TTT) & 7 |
| 1997 | Premier Calendar | 2nd Overall |
| 2000 | National Criterium Championships | 1st  |
| 2004 | Tour de Normandie | 1st Stage 7 |
| 2008 | National Road Race Championships | 1st |
| 2008 | Beaumont Trophy | 1st |
| 2008 | Tour of Pendle | 1st |
| 2008 | Blackpool Grand Prix | 1st |
| 2008 | National Criterium Championships | 2nd |
| 2009 | National Criterium Championships | 2nd |
| 2009 | Colne Town Centre Grand Prix | 2nd |
5.2. Track Cycling Achievements
| Year | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | National Championships (Kilo) | 1st |
| 1994 | National Championships (Kilo) | 1st |
| 1994 | National Championships (Madison) | 1st (with Bryan Steel) |
| 1994 | Commonwealth Games (Team Pursuit) | 2nd  |
| 1995 | National Championships (Madison) | 1st (with Russell Williams) |
| 1996 | National Championships (Points Race) | 1st |
| 1997 | National Championships (Points Race) | 1st |
| 1997 | National Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 1st |
| 1997 | National Championships (Madison) | 1st (with Russell Williams) |
| 1998 | National Championships (Points Race) | 1st |
| 1998 | National Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 1st |
| 1998 | National Championships (Madison) | 1st (with Jon Clay) |
| 1998 | Commonwealth Games (Team Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 1999 | National Championships (Points Race) | 1st |
| 1999 | National Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 1st |
| 1999 | National Championships (Madison) | 1st (with Bradley Wiggins) |
| 2000 | National Championships (Points Race) | 1st |
| 2000 | National Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 1st |
| 2000 | UCI World Championships (Team Pursuit) | 2nd  |
| 2000 | UCI World Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 3rd  |
| 2000 | Six Days of Grenoble | 2nd (with Bradley Wiggins) |
| 2000 | Olympic Games (Team Pursuit) | 3rd  |
| 2003 | UCI World Championships (Team Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 2003 | National Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 3rd |
| 2004 | UCI World Championships (Individual Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 2004 | UCI World Championships (Team Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 2004 | UCI Track World Cup (Sydney - Team Pursuit) | 1st |
| 2004 | Olympic Games (Team Pursuit) | 2nd  |
| 2004 | Olympic Games (Madison) | 3rd (with Bradley Wiggins) |
| 2005 | UCI World Championships (Madison) | 1st  (with Mark Cavendish) |
| 2005 | UCI World Championships (Team Pursuit) | 1st (with Steve Cummings, Paul Manning, Chris Newton) |
| 2005 | British National Team Pursuit Championship | 1st |
| 2005 | British National Team Time Trial Championship | 1st |
| 2005-2006 | UCI Track World Cup (Sydney - Individual Pursuit) | 1st |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games (Team Pursuit) | 1st  (with Steve Cummings, Paul Manning, Chris Newton) |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games (Individual Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 2006 | UCI World Championships (Team Pursuit) | 2nd |
| 2006-2007 | UCI Track World Cup (Manchester - Team Pursuit) | 1st |
| 2008-2009 | UCI Track World Cup (Manchester - Team Pursuit) | 1st |