Danger Dassie

Regardless of each other’s respective opinion and the bickering aside. Perhaps we can best channel our efforts into giving this the exposure it needs and share among our networks? @Matt perhaps a mention on the content side?

Thanks Sally, makes it all the more difficult as there’s also no elite rider presence to mentor/bond with. Will make a contribution as soon as and share around! All the best.

“ What we would like to see is CSA focus more on what’s best for the riders, especially since CSA have no funds. Comparing themselves to international standards of other cycling federations when they don’t have government funding to the same extent as those federations, makes no sense. CSA has different challenges and should focus on what’s best for South African Athletes. It is the position of WC DH, that allowing a bigger quota of riders to represent the country allows these riders to attract sponsors. Since these riders pay for everything themselves (it costs CSA or the country nothing) they should not be stopped by CSA from participating. Most of the riders that should be included in the team, are in Europe already, where the World Championships will take place. There has to be limits to who can compete and we believe whilst the selection criteria hasn’t served the talent of riders we have, it merely needs some slight adjustments, to make it a fair criteria for the racers. Currently, due to financial reasons, this new selection criteria makes it incredibly difficult or almost impossible for riders to gain international experience andmeet the demands of the selection policy. For riders to travel all over South Africa and then expected to travel all over the world to get experience without backing from CSA, shows that CSA don’t see this from a rider’s point of view. “

It is yes, opens at 07:00 in winter. Afaik only the main gate is the access point. We normally check on the Friends Of Suikerbosrand FB page for updates, although they’ve not posted since March this year. https://www.facebook.com/share/LGXY3xAUWULdecUg/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

It isn’t a free for all, it’s as far from anything like it. The only thing gatekeeping accomplishes is to deny taking advantage of the opportunities available. That has ramifications for future riders and the discipline. An administration can only ride the coattails of a single athlete’s success for so long with such a dogmatic approach.

You are twisting words. “Butthurt” and “Also rans” etc … are by their nature snide when used. Further to that, take the time to read and absorb objectively the WCDH statement as well as some of the points raised by not only the riders, but also people who do actually have the knowledge and experience of the sport at hand, for example Myles Kelsey, Andrew Neething etc

Chris, this is a patently dishonest characterisation of the topic raised and people involved, and only speaks to the lowest denominator of the discussion. The underpinning issue at hand is a policy that raises concerns. The governing body claim it was acknowledged and adopted without protest. This is untrue, as we see in the statement from WC Downhill, the provincial body. People who do actually have fundamental knowledge of DHI have reached out numerous times to assist, and get rejected. Regardless of what people thinks of the riders and the snide remarks about their character and potential, the sport deserves a better level of cooperation. It’s been encouraging to see Minnaar call out similar behaviour from people creating fake accounts.

https://bikenetwork.co.za/csa-dont-see-this-from-a-riders-point-of-view/ “In response to the comments in the media by CyclingSA on the article we published on the Unusually small SA Team announced for UCI DH World Championships, the Chairperson of Western Cape Downhill has issued us with this statement. Western Cape Downhill is administered by a voluntary group of people, like it is across all cycling disciplines in CSA — in other words, we have normal day jobs and do this for the love of the sport. We represent the largest number of Downhill Racers in South Africa, but in relation to the other cycling disciplines, Downhill has a smaller contingent of participants. We only became aware of the changes to the selection criteria for the South African Team (for the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships) in March 2024…..”

Comparisons were made even before then, as you say it shouldn't be us/them, so no need to compound it by commenting about specific sacrifices from athletes. Plus your own posts, despite denying it were loaded with spiteful/snide comments, like now even about penalties. There's no place for any of it. It would be better for HS to say what the challenges are, although I could believe DH has bigger challenges by default due to the small scene here and limited entry points to the sport. Which means far fewer sponsorship opportunities to enable riders to breakthrough. Along the 'process of discussion,' it has actually been unpacked through a number of posts here and online. The CSA criteria does seem questionable overall, I mean those top tier placing requirements alone would exclude most riders even from the top nations. Which begs the question, while these high level expectations are set for the riders. Who sets those? Do they have the prerequisite institutional experience to say these are the criteria? Arguably not. This leaves us in an embarrassing stalemate that doesn't serve anyone and is actually a failure in many respects. Objectively; there isn't really a fundamental reason to field at least two more riders in the elite field. SA Champ and one other. This would also mean we have an elite presence/mentors on site for our juniors. I get that having slots "isn't a guarantee" but it makes no sense to discourage participation, by it's it's very nature participation will generate a more competitive/higher performing field. IMHO CSA have over the last few years been making a concerted effort with their own challenges and this shouldn't overshadow that or the team representing SA. But this needs to be dealt with openly and honestly between the riders and CSA, not opaque side stepping.

Someone else's sacrifices has nothing to do with another, stop drawing false equivocations. All the riders are generally supportive of one another across disciplines.

Exactly, it's incredibly disingenuous commentary for people to be making.

https://www.instagram.com/bikenetwork.co.za/reel/C9dLPaDq5ep/

This is fundamentally not true tjom. It was read and queried, WCDH have come out about this as well as Stefan Garlicki. Perhaps pull this to the other thread instead.

Precisely what I said John. "It's more than just gees" ... at the end of the day when people have been self funding throughout an entire season as well as the expectation for WC, there should be some latitude. Or are we just chasing hunger games vibes.

That would be something, really looking forward to watching the racing!

They're self-funded, so let it be their prerogative to go and compete. Wether it's for a result on the podium or outside the top 100. It's about more than just 'gees'

Five positions are available in elite, are we saying that only a single one is up to 'par' .. especially in the context of self funding. Theo Erlangsen qualified for two World Cup events this year and had an invite to RedBull Hardline, if that isn't good enough, then there's a problem. But, DHI is a blip so why bother questioning anything right.

Sounds a bit bro sciencey, generally enjoy much of the JB insights. But lately his bias is becoming more and more evident, particularly apparent regarding anything EF. Starting to show that he's been away from the actual pulse of the sport for too long now IMHO. Interested to hear more of the insights from Wiggins though. Between him and GH we seem to have better insights, rest is fast becoming banter.

Thought you wanted to move on? You were pointed out to a number of corrections to a lengthy post, in particular that overriding authority, emergency services made the call. And now you conflate it further with a comparison with completely different scenarios. It’s not useful to the forum or relevant.

Could be any range of things from dehydration to something with diet/nutrition. Go for a checkup at your doctor, preferably one with a good knowledge/specialty in sport. Will do the necessary tests and you’ll have a better idea than anything here.

Good news all things considered. That was a proper fall. Looking forward to seeing more performances, works well with Gibbon imho and it was great to see Gibbons on the front in the closing metres yesterday.

In two minds, may have an opportunity to take on a friends entry. Just weighing up travel options in costs/logistics. Love the region, so regardless of weather it’d be a welcome escape.

So far I’ve found the best thing that works for me; a mix of peanuts, raisins and biltong. Optional add on, a protein bar/s and maybe some gels.