Sally E Kirk

Two years ago we had to pay R3k per rider for a Team Manager who knew sweet FA about DH and added no value. The cost per rider to stay in the Team House was R14k for a week - it worked out cheaper to find alternative accommodation. Entry fee for World Champs was paid by CSA. In 2023 at "Super Worlds" CSA picked up most of the costs. This year it's a self-funded trip again - probably R60k per rider, for those that are not in Europe already.

Thank you for pointing out the flaws in the system so succinctly. The current Convenor of Selectors at CSA has acknowledged that the selection criteria are "dumb" as you put it. He is quoted as saying - "in discussions with riders, coaches and other industry players, it has become evident that we need to review the policy for next year". Pity it's too late for our Elite Males this year. #lettheboysride

Unfortunately they are still trying to raise the funds to get to Andorra.

Well said - #lettheboysride

Depending on the venue, the field can be about 160+ riders for the Elite men category - top 60 fastest qualify for the semi-final, top 30 from the semi go into the final. This has been the format for 2023 and 2024 since sponsorship changed from Redbull to Discovery+.

The late inclusion of the Les Gets World Cup as a race for selection, where Greg came third, enabled him to meet the selection criteria.

Regardless of the publication date of the selection criteria, at the beginning of each year, I tell my riders that you have to attend all 4 National races and SA Champs without exception, which means they often end up riding these races with unhealed injuries or illness just to get the points on offer. I have seen a parent make a young teenager with a broken collar bone, ride down the Cascades track just so that she was seen to enter, start and finish the race - all to get points on the log, and thereby qualify for Provincial Colours - bizarre but CSA puts these hoops in place for riders to jump through and competitive parents don't know when to say enough is enough. In addition, you can't plan to attend a National Series race in mid-June when it is held on the same weekend as a World Cup race in Italy - logistically not possible and financially just doesn't make sense. We're not debating XC here- different kettle of fish entirely. The DH riders actually support Luke, Omar, Alan, Candice etc, follow their progress and want them to do well. Bottom line is - CSA should support its riders, not work against them, regardless of discipline.

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/world-champs-selection-top-sa-downhill-racers-have-their-say/ The debate continues.......

Very generous of you, I'm sure she will appreciate your support.

Meanwhile, two talented riders (both current SA National DH Champions in their age groups - Elite Women and Junior Men), (ages can be supplied on request but definitely not over 30) who were selected for World Champs do not have sufficient funding to go to Andorra, and are requesting financial assistance. Maybe it's time for the cynics among you to put your money where your mouths are and support their fund raising efforts.😉

Greg was in the UK/Europe from the age of 16.

Definitely not a "free pass" and they are all jumping through the same selection criteria hoops - even Greg Minnaar with 26 years of international experience. The group of DH riders concerned in this discussion do "bother" to qualify as far is realistically and financially possible.

Still not worth paying for an airticket back to SA in the middle of the European season, logistically and financially makes no sense. In the previous two years, all 4 SA National DH races were held prior to the Junior and Elite riders departing for Europe in late April/early May, for this exact reason - to accomodate the WC Series and to avoid unnecessary expense for riders and/or sponsors. Les Gets was included in the selection criteria at the last minute - why not stick to the orignal criteria as published in March 2024? Why make an exception for this race and not show discretion/leniency on the other criteria?

Qualification through the National DH series is indeed possible, however the 4th race in the 2024 National Series was held in Limpopo on the 17th of June, this clashed with a World Cup race in Val di Sole, Italy and I don't see any SA elite rider (self-funded or sponsored) (at age 19, 20, or 29 if you want specifics), giving up the experience of racing at the most difficult track in the WC series to return to South Africa to participate in a National race held on a unchallenging, simplistic, dusty Enduro trail. Not all of us have the deep pockets required to fund one European season for our riders, let alone provide a European base for them. Sponsorships for travel, accommodation, race entries, DH bikes etc take years to earn through exposure and top level performance. Our upcoming Junior and young Elite riders require the ongoing support of their Federation both within SA and internationally.

Unfortunately CSA set a precendent in the last two years of upholding the non-selected riders' appeals and said riders got to ride at World Champs in Les Gets (2022) and Fort William (2023). This year, CSA, for whatever reason, has decided not to show the same discretion/leniency towards the appeals.

Unusually small SA Team announced for UCI _DH World Championships - Bike Network.html

Does anyone have a left hand brake lever for a Shimano Deore XT (M8000 or M8100), 4 piston brake set? Happy to take new or used, and pay courier costs. Thank you.