Headshot

What we also have in SA is a growing culture of irrational rules and regulations that condone bad administrative decisions and cover those who make them. I stand by my point that CSA are ill equipped to deal with DH. They don't understand it and their behavior does nothing for the riders. Easy to say they shouldjust try again next year when they're already battling to pay their way to make a go of it as it is.

Exactly they did petition but we have fake news being spread here. Disappointing

Greg is 42, started racing when the R was about 3 to the dollar and now has a home in Andorra and full team support. He is super talented but the guys over there at the moment are also the best we have in SA at the moment, not some no hopers who can barely ride a bike, like most on this thread, me included. I'd like the biggest team of the best riders representing SA at the worlds. Why don't you?

Stop, you're making me cry with your in no way relevant comparisons to play to the audience on this thread.

It means that the criteria that road/XC biased CSA have in place for selection in DH are probably poorly thought out in that they fail to take the famous "hurdles" and nature of DH racing as opposed to road and XC into account. https://bikenetwork.co.za/csa-dont-see-this-from-a-riders-point-of-view/

This segways back to my statement that DH racers from SA face bigger hurdles than their XC)/marathon/roadie counterparts. How many pro DH racers come to SA over summer to train here? Absolutely none or if any do, its not for training but promo work like Greg. Why not? Because we lack shuttle and chairlift assisted DH tracks of a suitable standard. Where do they go - places like New Zealand's South Island. How many XCO racers including top names. come to Cape Town in particular to train - lots and lots. Why, because its terrain and trails are made for it. Nino. Keller and others are often here in summer. So, CSA and other punters on this forum including the XC coach, how are SA talents supposed to compete and meet criteria imposed by an organization that appears to hardly understands downhill racing given the dearth of training venues available to them in SA? Far tooo many high horses being ridden by too many people quoting this and that from the CSA without understanding the context or the nature of DH racing in SA.

Not sacrifices - hurdles. All the parents from GM on down have had their hands full and bank accounts emptied.

I strongly suspect that all the XCO riders even Candice have more support from local sponsors as a result of the XC bevok nation we live in. The "race that measures all" has seen to that. Imagine if it was the other way around as it is in most other countries, with gravity orientated riding predominating.

They are at the level or better than many WC riders. This is a sport where only 30 make the finals. Just as you were the best SA had to offer on the road, so these guys are the best SA has to offer in DH. By the way, where did you come in the world champs?

I put the ball in your court ...

Sincerely hoping that all you "DH Bro" disparaging commentators are proved wrong and that the very well organized WC DH committee and others manage to overturn the silly CSA decision. DH racers from SA face far bigger hurdles than our XCO racers to compete overseas. Prove me wrong.

You're inferring that a lack of funding is the issue when that hasn't been given as the reason. Again, self-funded riders.

And why would that be?

Sure, but comparing DH MTB to F1 is a very bad example. There's nothing stopping you from paying your way in by forming a team and qualifying last every time like Alfa Tauri or whoever is currently at the bottom. Try again 🙂

You're a bit spiteful I think. If these guys are all we have and have made a huge effort to ride and race overseas then give them a go I say. Suddenly paying your own way is "self-entitlement". Weird.

Laughable - why?

Except the World Champs is not the world cup, and is more of a go "gooi kliphard" one off where there is usually a far bigger field than in the Cup. Many countries field numerous riders who are not medal contenders. Why deny riders who are self -funding and come from a poorly represented country from gaining experience and possibly moving up a gear in a big event like this? All the excluded riders are talented and very fast. Its not like some arb okes from BikeHub want to go and feel hard done by. Maybe they should let some guys who have done "The race that measures all" go instead?

In other news CSA has screwed over several SA DH racers by naming only one elite...Greg M in the elite division for World Champs...CSA need their tyre's deflated.

And there I was thinking it was a Tiz issue 😉

Where can I get a bottle of that magic K juice?

Three horse race now!

The Danish Anchovy was fantastic yesterday. The Slovalien thought he had him. Still, over a minute for JV to make up to get into yellow - what are his chances on the mountain stages?

Pelo going along nicely at 49 km/h

Took our 11 year old to Harkerville and did the Red Route. It was a battle for him (and his parents!) at times but he did well despite thee moaning. I upgraded an old Schwinn 26er hardtail for him with a decent fork and he now has the lightest bike of all, and this helped i think. Most kids bikes are horribly heavy, have rubbish tyres and stiff controls.

You can join if you want Peepee. Always room for one more jerk.