1x10: Xander Graham

Meet Xander Graham aka Xan der Poel - at 12 years old, he is a Scottish Cyclocross Champion and famous for out sprinting Tour of Britain race leaders.

Image by Paul Brett

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell our readers a little about you?

Hi my name is Xander Graham. I am 12 years old, live in Edinburgh and race Cyclocross, Road and MTB.

2. How long have you been involved in cyclocross?

I did my first cyclocross race at age 9 which was Haugh Cross in Aberdour. I was instantly hooked after that race.

3. What got you into the sport in the first place?

My dad, he’s been a keen racer and cyclist all my life and I’ve grown up with bikes as a sport, a hobby and a form of transport. Since I was very little I’ve raced bikes and we did lots of rides and events together as a family.

4. What's the most embarrassing thing you've done at a race?

At Glentress MTB races, when I was 4 on the start line I fell down the embankment when the whistle blew. The marshals had to get me up again before I could start, but by this time the race had gone.

5. What is your favourite course in Scotland? 

I raced Stirling Plean CX back in 2018 and loved the course - probably this or the recent Scottish Champs course at Dundee Camperdown, which had so much variety, and it had sand sections which was a first for me to race on.

6. What are your highlights from this season?

It’s been a busy year, I won the Scottish National crit Series and placed 2nd at The Scottish crit Champs, I placed 2nd at the North of England MTB Champs,  

On the cyclocross, I won u14 Scottish CX Champs , placed 2nd overall in CXNE Series and top 10 at National Trophy series.

7. What are your plans for next season? 

MTB and road races for early part of the year, then I plan to race National Trophy CX series and focus on a top 3 overall. I’d also like to race out in Belgium next year at one of the CX events. I also might be out in the US doing some events if Covid restrictions allow.

8. Are there any riders you particularly admire?

I have a few - Wout, Pidcock and Van Der Poel - everyone of these riders are just incredible to watch. They inspire me as they are so multi disciplined as cyclists and race road , cx and MTB.

9. What's the craziest thing you've seen at a cross race?

At a cross race I was at in England, a dog slipped its lead and started chasing the riders when they were racing. It was pure panic by all.

10. As well as being a regular on the cx scene, you also shot to fame recently due to being able to out ride the pros, what's been the best thing to come from this spotlight?

There has been lots of great things to come out of it, my social media went up by 10k and the biggest thing has to be my signing for US Team Jukebox Cycling. Jukebox is a multidisciplinary cycling team with a goal of promoting positive people doing awesome things on and off the bike - this is the perfect fit for me as I love my bike racing and social media.