The black tape that prevents a 2,000 euro fine on Hatherly's Giant Anthem

The Giant Anthem Advanced SL that Alan Hatherly competes with in the World Cup is full of personalized details that reference his two XCO world titles. But there is one of them that the mechanics of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team must remember to hide when the South African switches disciplines.

The rainbow detail of Hatherly's Giant Anthem that could cost him a 2,000 euro fine

On the rear of the frame, above the stays and the chainstays, Hatherly's Anthem features rainbow stripes in honor of his status as the reigning world champion. The problem is that the regulations do not allow these markings to be used in any discipline.

Hatherly is a double XCO world champion, so he can display the rainbow details when competing in this discipline. However, he has not been a world champion in Short Track, and when he participates in an XCC event with the same bike, those colors must disappear.

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The solution for the Giant mechanics is as simple as it is effective: cover the rainbow stripes with black tape to prevent them from being visible during Short Track races. A small detail they must remember before each XCC event because forgetting it could result in a 2,000 euro fine.

And it wouldn't be the first time it happens. In 2024, Nino Schurter and Kate Courtney had to pay a 2,000 euro fine each after competing in the Short Track in Mairiporã with a jersey that included a small rainbow detail.

Both had been XCO world champions and could display those stripes throughout their sporting careers, but only when competing in the discipline in which they had won the title. By participating in an XCC event with the visible rainbow marking, they violated the regulations and were penalized.

That’s why, although it may seem like an insignificant detail, the Giant mechanics must remember to cover a part of the decoration of Hatherly's Anthem with black tape every time the world champion switches from XCO to Short Track.