Stormf

So we need CSA to start a major run at Lotto and the Sports Dept. to fund the riders during an entire World Cup season until the get picked up by a factory team.

How much support do our top performing MTB riders get from CSA? The World Championships are currently underway with our only result being Burry Stander's Bronze medal finish in the Elite Men's Cross-Country. How much assistance has Candice Neethling had since her podium at last year's Worlds? Has she been given the chance to ride in all the World Cup events with all the necessary support like a trainer masseur, nutritionist, etc.? And what about the rest of the younger competitors? Some of them have performed admirably without any real experience and are to be congratulated. So I ask again: What assistance do our riders get from CSA or our local agent's via their principals?

Well said 'Slickman'. Check what the major clothing retailers markups are for example and you'll all crap yourselves! The shops buy at the same prices and the wholsalers (importing agents) have to carry debtors (shops accounts) which costs money as well as having to pay upfront for the goods they import. Manufacturers don't carry debtor accounts. Sadly the CRC issue could see a number of smaller bike shops going to the wall, but the smart ones will be charging between 10 - 20% of any bike they're asked to build with CRC parts at normal full retail selling price. Hey, its expert skill to build a bike and reasonable to make a profit if one is in business.