SA Team : Track : Los Angeles

[Chrispy]

Ok let's stop beating about the bush here.

The thread was started by questioning the selection of Garth Thomas and Chris Willemse Jnr and what the selection criteria was.

 

To be blunt there are not many other riders at this stage that can claim those spots.

 

But let's look at their "connections":

 

Garth Thomas.

Comes from the Kulsen family of the Paarl that has produced generations of excellent track riders. Ricky Kulsen is a SA Track selector and Manager. As far as I know Ricky was awarded Springbok colors in the 80's. 

 

Chris Willemse Jnr. His father Chris Snr was a top road and track rider. Still the only person to win SA Road titles as Schoolboy, Junior and Elite. Ex Vice-Chairman of old Cycling Federation. At his moment he is only involved with his club, Tygerberg and the CSC/Marcello Team.

 

Unlike many other sports, Cycling has a long history of cyclists that comes from cycling families. One generation passes the talent and skill AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE LOVE OF THE SPORT on to the next generation.

 

It is also very common that ex-cyclists get involved with the admin/coaching/officials/managers side of the sport when they retire from racing.

 

It is inevetable that you will always have cyclists that will have connections with the admin/coaching/officials/managers side of the sport.

 

Deal with it and move on.

 

 

[Poison Ivy]

 

It is inevetable that you will always have cyclists that will have connections with the admin/coaching/officials/managers side of the sport.

 

Deal with it and move on.

 

 

I tend to agree with you here Chrispy, must I now stop helping people out, because its gonna look like I'm pulling strings for them....bull dust....I'll help who ever needs my help and I don't care who says what....because bottom line is, I help cycling  

 

So I also say:  deal with it and move on !!

 

[GreyOwl]

I dont think you are entirely correct Chrispy.

 

Simon Kessler won right from being schoolboy, up to elite, as did Garen Bloch.

 

I'm sure there are others as well.

 

Selection is always going to be a bone of contention, but it should be more neutral.

 

I blamed many an exclusion from a track team on nepitism...but in hindsight, it was only because I was not good enough.

 

 

[Omar]

the problem begins when the selected rider is just not up to scratch and our selection process is just not transparent enough. remember in 1997 when W Engelbrecht took charge of the junior world squad, the process took a week. and he stated from the start that we would not come close to winning a medal. and thats what happened all the selected riders rode PB's in the chosen disciplines at the Worlds but were still outclassed. now we just choose riders without any process involved.

[Sabre484]

Good luck CW jnr