There are days that are remembered forever and May 9, 2025, could be one of these for Team Jayco AlUla’s Paul Double.
“Being at the start of the Giro d’Italia is a milestone. An important part of a dream that began many years ago,” says the British rider who will take to the start line this week for his debut appearance in a Grand Tour.
Double, who turns 29 years old on 25th June, has always chased with great strength and determination. “I started cycling seriously 10 years ago always hoping to become a good rider, there were difficult moments, but I never gave up,” he says.
Ping-pong, kayak, football and, finally a bike
He grew up in Winchester, in the south of England, and before falling in love with cycling, Double tried several sports. “As a child I played ping-pong in a local club and I wasn’t bad,” says Double, “then I tried kayaking but without great results.”
In between, there was a lot of five-a-side football and he also had a particular aptitude for the electric guitar. His first instrument was given to him by his grandfather and he soon started taking his first lessons.
The results were not bad, but after a few years, Double abandoned the guitar. It wasn’t until 2017, when he moved to Italy to try to become a rider, that he would pick it up again. It was around this point that his father Len, a good amateur cyclist, came into the picture. One year before, in fact, in 2016 he convinced Paul to sign up for the Ras de Cymru, an amateur race in Wales.
“I did well, I won the time trial and the uphill finish on the Tumble,” says Double. The bike became his new passion, but for the moment, it was just a hobby.
Around Italy to chase a dream
His victory in Wales did not go unnoticed. The Italian former professional Flavio Zappi suggested that he move to Italy to race in his under 23 team. The proposal came at a pivotal moment in Double’s life.
“I had finished college, and I had no clear ideas about my future. While waiting to figure it out, I did lots of small jobs to support myself, for example working as a waiter,” he explains.
The invitation to go to Italy seemed like a good solution and Double took a chance and went for it.
“I have lived in many places and sometimes I felt quite lonely, but I started to think that I really could become a professional rider and so I went ahead,” Double said.
He raced with Zappi’s Racing Team for two seasons, and then in 2019, moved to the Bergamo-based team Colpack-Ballan. He returned to Zappi for a season, and in 2012, the offer from MGKVis arrives, which will be the last continental team of his career.
Big fish in a small pan
In 2023, Double turned professional with Human Powered Health but it was ultimately a false start. The American professional team closed, but by now many had noticed this young Englishman.
The Italian team Polti Cometa arrived on the scene, and at the court of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador, Paul confirmed that he has grown and is ready for the leap into the WorldTour with Team Jayco Alula.
“Looking back,” Double explained. “I realised that it has been an interesting journey. The first few years, I had to make do. I had calculated that I could spend 50 euros a week on food and luckily the house and the trips were paid for by the team.“
If he had to describe himself in three words, he would choose: “sociable, resilient and flexible.” I would also add a fourth: “dreamer”. He speaks Italian very well and over the next 10 years or so, he hopes to have had a good career with few wins. He also sees himself managing a café on the beach, but who knows what other dreams are hidden in his head?
Big fish in a big pan
Back to reality, and in a few days, the Grand Depart in Albania awaits him. “It will be a celebration. My father, my brothers and some friends will be there to share my moment. I think I will allow myself a toast with them.”
It will be his first Grand Tour, and he knows he has to quickly understand how it works. “I have already started asking my teammates for some useful advice. I am sure of one thing: it will be a great trip, and I hope, I will have many stories to tell.”
The big dream is that of all riders: “if a win comes in Italy that will be special” but he knows well that the best tactic is “take each race day as it comes and look for the best result”.
Good luck, Paul.
Top picture: Sprint Cycling
