Meet Nathan Haas: From WorldTour Rider to Head Coach at Team EF Coaching
Nathan Haas’ transition from professional cycling into his role as head coach at Team EF Coaching is best understood as a continuation rather than a change of direction.
After more than a decade competing at the highest level of the sport, his move into coaching leadership reflects a long-standing interest in performance, health, and how athletes develop over time. It is a step shaped by experience, education, and a desire to apply both in a way that supports athletes beyond short-term results.
Nathan’s connection to EF dates back to the beginning of his professional career. In 2011, following strong results including a win at the Japan Cup, he had several opportunities available but chose to join Team Garmin, the foundation of what is now EF Education-EasyPost. The decision was driven less by financial considerations and more by alignment with the team’s philosophy. Its clear stance on clean sport, its openness to science, and its focus on people over pure performance metrics stood out. That choice would shape the next 14 years of his career and deeply influence how he views performance environments today.
Throughout his time in the WorldTour peloton, Nathan gained insight not only into racing and training, but into how successful performance systems are built and sustained. He experienced first-hand that long-term success depends on more than numbers, plans, or marginal gains alone. Teams that consistently perform are those that understand athletes as individuals, support their health, and allow development to happen over time. This perspective stayed with him as he progressed through his career and became central to how he now approaches coaching.
''These small details often determine whether an athlete continues to progress or quietly drifts toward injury or stagnation.''
That combination naturally led him back to EF, this time through Team EF Coaching. After working as a consulting coach with the team for the past two years, stepping into the role of head coach felt like a logical progression. The position allows Nathan to contribute more directly to the direction of the coaching platform and to the development of a growing team of coaches with diverse backgrounds, ranging from academic research to elite racing experience.
At the core of Nathan’s approach is the belief that cycling must fit into life, not override it. When health, relationships, or personal stability begin to suffer, performance usually follows. Team EF Coaching is built around this understanding, supporting athletes with a wide range of goals, life situations, and constraints. Training is always considered in context, and progress is measured over years rather than single seasons.
This philosophy is closely tied to Team EF Coaching’s health-first approach. Training load, intensity, and progression are always evaluated in relation to an athlete’s overall wellbeing. Working alongside Team EF Coaching head coach Colby Pearce, Nathan brings an evidence-based health perspective that complements a broader, more holistic view of performance. Together with the wider coaching team, the focus remains on building a stable foundation that allows athletes to progress sustainably and avoid the cycles of overtraining and burnout that are common in endurance sport.
Looking ahead, Nathan sees 2026 as an important year for Team EF Coaching. The coaching team continues to grow, and the broader coaching landscape is evolving rapidly, with increasing emphasis on data and artificial intelligence. While these tools can be valuable, Nathan believes the true strength of Team EF Coaching lies in one-on-one human relationships. Coaches are trained to look beyond training files and notice subtle patterns related to fatigue, motivation, stress, and emotional load. These small details often determine whether an athlete continues to progress or quietly drifts toward injury or stagnation.
“Sustainable performance comes from understanding athletes as people, not just numbers.”
What further distinguishes Team EF Coaching is its direct connection to a WorldTour team. As the only coaching platform linked to a WorldTour program, it benefits from ongoing collaboration with medical staff, physiotherapists, performance specialists, psychologists, and professional riders. This knowledge does not stay at the top level but flows directly into how athletes at all levels are coached, educated, and supported.
Outside of coaching, Nathan prioritizes balance in his own life. He is a father and a husband who enjoys music, hiking, fishing, and spending time outdoors. These interests are not separate from his view of performance, but an essential part of it. He often refers to the concept of “rad recovery,” the idea that stepping away from structured training to do something enjoyable can be one of the most effective ways to reset both physically and mentally.
As head coach of Team EF Coaching, Nathan brings a steady, experience-driven perspective shaped by years of racing, study, and coaching. His focus is on sustainable progress, clear communication, and supporting athletes as whole people. Retirement from professional cycling has not marked an end to his involvement in the sport, but a shift in how his experience is applied and shared.