Payson sits down with this year’s winner of The Mid South, Cole Paton to discuss his victory and unpack the race. Having spent much of his career winning collegiate XC titles and chasing the World Cup circuit, the 23-year-old was as surprised as anyone when his fitness and savvy tactics snagged him the top step at the season’s first major gravel race. Despite his decisive win, Cole says that self-doubt and low expectations followed him all the way to the finish line, even after his solo breakaway with only a few miles to go. He discusses the influence of his teammate and mentor, Dennis Van Winden during The Mid South and throughout his intensive preseason training. He also talks about graduating from college at the end of 2019 with several national titles to his name but without contract offers from any major teams. In 2020, as the pandemic shut down racing around the world, he considered quitting cycling altogether and moving back to his hometown in Washington. He credits his girlfriend and teammate Savilia Blunk with inspiring him to keep racing. He also tells Payson about how he's viewing his future now that he's pursuing a full gravel schedule, and the races outside of the Grand Prix lineup that he's most looking forward to.

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