Inigo Hawkins - Finding his feet racing abroad and his 2024 plans

Inigo Hawkins has spent his 2023 racing out in Italy for the Zappi Race Team. After a tough season adapting to the frenzied racing of Italy, we sat down to hear all about it and what his plans are for the winter and into next season.

Inigo, in 10 words or less, tell us about yourself.

I like riding bikes fast and posting about it online

How was your 2023 race season?

It was long and hard to tell the truth, it was my second full season racing bikes and stepping up a level from uk nat Bs to Italian Nationals was a real baptism of fire! No results to speak of but after a nasty crash in winter and my lack of experience I can be pleased with my progress made. 

Talk us through your bike?

My 2023 race bike is a Factor o2 equipped with sram force with Zipp 303s team bike. I really enjoyed this year's bike! It may not be a do it all super bike but it was certainly good enough to compete with the top end models out there!

Were there any specific alterations you made to your set-up? If so, why?

Handlebar and saddle are always going to be areas of personal preference so I was sitting on a Fizik Argo R1 with carbon rails, my favourite race saddle. As for the bars I fitted some flared 34/38mm bars for the aero gains as I prefer a tucked position and favoured manoeuvre-ability in the pack. 

What does winter look like for you?

Hard graft I hope. Next year is a big one for me and I want to give myself the best opportunity possible to perform so I will be getting my head down putting in the miles!

What races are you targeting into 2024?

Stage racing is somewhere I feel more comfortable and where I’d like to perform going forward so I’m hoping to target the Ràs racing in Ireland as well as Italian stage races Giro del Veneto and Giro della regione Friuli Venezia Giulia 2.2.