The facet for which Antonio Lobato is best known is his career as a Formula 1 journalist. However, before focusing his carrera on the circuits, he was also a commentator for another kind of events: those of the cycling peloton. “That experience helped me discover a sport I have fallen in love with,” he confesses. Since then, cycling has been a part of his life. And not just from the sofa or the microphones: Lobato is a devoted fan of both mountain bikes and road bikes.
“The bike connects me with something very personal”
Although in recent years his routine has been marked by F1 and sports journalism, 2025 has brought him back to one of his greatest passions: mountain biking. This year, he has decided to sign up for the Titan Desert, one of the most demanding events on the MTB calendar, and he is doing it with the motivation to experience it firsthand.
What do you expect from your first experience in the Titan Desert?
I hope to enjoy it. Beyond the heat and the fatigue, I want to soak up the atmosphere, the camaraderie. They say it’s an amazing experience. I’m motivated by the mix of professionals with cyclists who just want to finish. I know it’s going to be very tough, but also very human.
How did you decide to swap the studio for the desert?
The Titan Desert has always been on my mind. I was already practicing mountain biking some time ago, although I had set it aside a bit. But this year I’ve come back strong. I have already participated in events like the Quebrantahuesos or the Perico Delgado, both on road bikes, but I was missing something like this: a wild adventure in the desert.
How are you preparing for such an extreme race?
This is not just any carrera. Shortcuts don't work here. You can train endurance on the road, but you can't simulate desert conditions in Madrid. Six days on sand, with extreme temperatures... the hardest part is not the body, it's the mind.
“Mountain biking gives you adrenaline, road cycling gives you epicness”
What is harder for you to train: the physical or the mental?
Definitely the mental. I have run marathons and I know that when the body shows signs of fatigue, it's the mind that decides if you go on or not. It's the same on the bike, but with more nuances. In the Titan Desert there are stretches where you're alone, far from everything. That's when your mind takes over.
How do you combine training with your professional schedule?
As best I can. Between the Formula 1 World Championship and the launch of my book, I don't have much time left. But I train alone during the week and in a group on weekends. I have one group I go out with on MTB and another with whom I ride road bikes. I like that duality: the brute strength of the countryside and the elegance of the asphalt.
Do you feel more comfortable in the mountains or on the road?
To watch cycling, I like it all. To practice it, it depends on the moment. The road bike has something heroic, very classic. But mountain biking is more dynamic, more adrenaline-filled. I love the technical balance of descents, the feeling of control in the midst of chaos.
“The bike gives me what no other sport does”
What does the bike give you that, for example, running does not?
I like running, but it's different. The bike gives me more varied sensations. The effort on climbs, the speed on descents, the technical play... it's a sport that connects you with your surroundings and with yourself. I like to suffer, but also to feel that I control what happens under my wheels.
Do you have a favorite bike?
I have several Scott. For mountain biking, a Scott Spark 910 and a Scott 750. For road cycling, I use a Scott Addict Team. Each one has its own personality. If all goes well, the bike I use for the Titan Desert will be hung on the wall as a trophy. And if not, maybe I'll put it up for sale... we'll see.
Have you bought or sold second-hand bikes?
Yes. I sold one a while ago because I didn't have space for it in the garage anymore. Nowadays, platforms like Tuvalum let you sell or buy refurbished bicycles safely. I think it's a really good option, especially if you want to get a better bike without paying the price of a new one.
“The Titan Desert won't be the end, it will be the start of more challenges”
And after the Titan, what then?
I hope this is the beginning of something more. I love pushing myself. After the Quebrantahuesos, I told myself: “now it's time for something bigger.” And here I am. I'm really interested in the Madrid-Lisbon by teams, and I'm sure more challenges will keep coming. The important thing is to keep pedaling.
