Gage Hecht of Parker, Colorado got the opportunity to make the most of the two World Cups held in the U.S. Hecht qualified for the U.S. team and spent the early part of the season lining up against Europe’s best.
Rubbin’ is racing. Gage Hecht and Drew Dillman compete for the rideable line. 2017 Trek CX Cup, Friday UCI C2. © J. Curtes / Cyclocross Magazine
The past few weekends he has been back in Colorado racing against some of the top young talent in the country. Over the weekend, the Alpha Bicycle Co. – Groove Subaru rider won the U23 race at the US Open of Cyclocross in Boulder both days.
Sunday U23 podium: Gage Hecht, Denzel Stephenson, Grant Ellwood. 2017 US Open of Cyclocross Day 2. photo: Without Limits
Hecht is no stranger to success on the big stage. He finished second at Road Nationals this summer and took second in the epic U23 battle at Hartford Nationals.
Gage Hecht finished 2nd at U23 Nationals in Hartford. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Hecht also finished fourth at 2015 Worlds in Tabor, missing the podium by seconds.
Gage Hecht’s future is bright, but he doesn’t need muddy shades. 2015 World Championships. © Mike Albright / Cyclocross Magazine
Hecht said his trip to Europe is the highlight of every ’cross season, and he would love the opportunity to see what he can do against the European riders full time. “That’d definitely be a dream of mine, to spend time over there,” he said.
Gage Hecht takes the final gravel KOM climb at the 2017 Montana Cross Camp © Cyclocross Magazine
Although still considered a young star, we have seen him race since he was literally a young star.
Gage Hecht after his first win at Nationals in 2009 in Bend – improving on his silver in 2008. © Cyclocross Magazine
Once Hecht’s cycling career is over, he already has a plan for the next step in his life. “I’m working on being a pilot right now and working towards a commercial job in the industry,” he said. “I think it would be a blast to have a job flying. I love being in the cockpit, so that’s probably the most enticing part of the job.”
Calder Wood and Gage Hecht fly up the KOM climb. 2017 Montana Cross Camp. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Hecht has ridden a Moots titanium frame for a number of years now. His A Bike also has a little extra personalization to go along with the unique frame choice.
Want to know which bike is Hecht’s A bike? Simple: look for the one where Bart Simpson is choking on a front derailleur cable. © Cyclocross Magazine
View more photos from Montana Cross Camp and Cyclocross Nationals and see all our coverage from the 2017 Montana Cross Camp.
Interview with Gage Hecht at the 2017 Montana Cross Camp
Cyclocross Magazine’s Andrew Yee sat down to chat with Hecht about racing in Europe, flying, school and more in the latest of our Montana Cross Camp Interviews.
