Kane Richards: From Triathlon Roots to the World Stage on Two Wheels

Kane Richards: From Triathlon Roots to the World Stage on Two Wheels

The Australian rider on racing across continents, the training grind, and the cramp fix that saved his season.

“I started in triathlon; but cycling was where I really found my stride.”

Professional cyclist Kane Richards has raced across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — but his path to the peloton wasn’t a straight line. From long hours working to fund triathlon races to finding his calling on the bike, Kane’s journey shows the resilience it takes to turn endurance into a career.

We caught up with him to talk about his rise, his routines, and the reality of life in the saddle.

From Triathlon to the Pro Peloton

“I was working almost full-time just to afford to race.”

Kane’s sporting career began in triathlon.

“I played soccer growing up, and my dad coached me until I was about sixteen,” he says. “My best friend and his dad got me into triathlon and I loved it — but it’s an expensive sport. Coming from a family of four, I had to work to afford it.”

He turned professional but soon realised his strength lay elsewhere.
“I could swim and bike really well, but my run was always a minute off the top guys. That one minute was the difference between winning and finishing thirtieth.”

When an opportunity arose to race for McDonald’s Down Under, an Australian cycling team, Kane jumped in. After successful tours in China and Indonesia, he made the switch permanent.

“Cycling was my strongest discipline — and the one I enjoyed most. Once I started racing, I just wanted to keep going.”

Losing Time to COVID 

Just as he was climbing the ranks, the pandemic struck.

“The lockdowns hit when I was between 23 and 25 - the crucial age where most riders usually make that next jump into the top teams,” he explains. 

“This has impacted my potential progression into a World Tour or Pro Tour Team, (which includes road cycling's most iconic race the Tour de France) - however, I am still driven by the goal of one day making it to this level.”

Despite that, he’s carved out a respected career racing at the continental level with Roojai Insurance Cycling Team, ranked among the top three in Asia and is garnering attention due to his sustained performance. 

“I’ve raced in Oman, Saudi Arabia, China, Hong Kong — all over. I’m realistic about where I am now, but I’m also grateful. I get to travel the world and get paid to race my bike. That’s a privilege.”

Favourite Places to Ride and Race

“Girona, Spain - quite simply, it is just unreal.”

Kane lights up when talking about training in Girona, near Barcelona.
“We’ve lived there on and off for four years. The roads, the lifestyle, the food — it’s cycling heaven.”

His favourite races, though, are in Asia.
“The racing in China is incredibly professional with fleets of buses, support cars, hundreds of vehicles. The Tour of Poyang Lake was amazing. I finished second overall and won two stages. Taiwan was another standout — mountains, rainforest, and an incredible cycling culture.”

And when it comes to Europe?
“Italy is my happy place. Dani’s family is there, and the food and atmosphere make it perfect for training.”

Inside a Pro’s Training Week

“Consistency beats complexity.”

Kane trains in three-day blocks with a rest or recovery spin after each.
“About 25 - 30 hours a week is average — four to five hours a day,” he says.

A typical week looks like this:

Fuel Plan

• Breakfast: 4 eggs + 4 slices of toast
  
  

• During rides: 70–80g carbs/hour (via gels, mix, lollies)
  
  

• Post-ride: Protein within 30 minutes — shake, yogurt, or chocolate milk
  
  

• Dinner: Salmon, rice, salad (carb-heavy before hard sessions)

“I keep it simple. Similar breakfast, similar on-bike food, similar recovery. You can’t overcomplicate endurance.”

“They handed me a baguette mid-race — I thought, are you serious?”

Not every nutrition plan goes to script.

“I once had a baguette handed to me from the team car mid-race,” Kane laughs. “We were averaging 45 km/h. There’s no way I was eating that thing!”

The CrampFix Advantage

“I’ve literally won races because of CrampFix.”

Kane swears by a few key products that keep him performing at his best.

• CrampFix Shots: “Absolute game-changers. I cramped 80km into Nationals, took a CrampFix, and it disappeared. Finished fourth. It’s saved me multiple times — especially in the heat.”
  
  

• FIXX Coffee Gels: “They’re my favourite, they’re a great caffeine hit!”
  
  

• Fuel X Pro Watermelon Mix: “I mix it with the nude flavour to balance the sweetness and load up carbs without overdoing it.”

“The Thai boys on my team always laugh; they call them ‘the spicy shots!’ They hate the taste but know they work.”

What Keeps Him Going

“Every race is different — and that’s what keeps me hooked.”

Even after years of chasing the pro dream, Kane’s motivation is simple.

“I get to travel, meet people, and push my limits every day. Maybe I won’t ride for a World Tour team, but I’m still racing them, still improving. From working full-time to fund triathlon races to living off my bike now, is something that I’m proud of.”

“It’s a simple life, but it’s a good one. The fact that I get to do this with my partner Dani (professional cyclist and dietician Dani De Francesco) is also something that I know I am very lucky to do - despite the occasional blow up, hahahahahahaha.” 

Quick Stats: Kane Richards