Indomitable Schurter claims consecutive World Title

[hboli4]

What is this XCE on SS5 now? Just a one lap thing it looks like, Phillip Buys riding again

 

I actually enjoyed watching the XCE. Reckon it might be best suited as a spectator friendly format, but I think it has been discussed before.

[Face Plant]

i really enjoyed the XCE races, Van der Ploeg is an animal, It does seem though that i comes down to the guy getting the holeshot, Van der Ploeg found a tight line into the first corner and smoked everybody from there

[Wyatt Earp]

Also in Europe, Cycling is a religion.

 

Would love to see the Bokke play the Swiss.

 

We have a "different" culture.

 

I hear this so often, and ill add this.

Yes people "cycle" in Europe.

In S.A. we cycle as well, and not just do we cycle, we take it to the extreme, people in this country are more competitive than any other nation I have come across.

Look at the Comrades, where one earth are you ever going to find a nation as nuts as ours running that insane distance with so many people.

 

We have average to above average cyclists in this country who have their egos stroked continuously.

They get all sorts of sponsorship and marketing thrown at them.

I see some comments like "good luck, put them in the hurtbox", "go and show them" and whatever other ego stroking one can come up with.

 

Only for them to be embarrassed, and this old adage of "I was right up there" also doesn't fly well.

If one is up there, you better well be up there when you cross the line as well.

 

But my point being this ,eventually.

I urge sponsors to stop throwing money at people that just take the "free ride"

Rather put that money in to an academy (and not a tjommie, tjommie academy) but a proper cycling academy that will have the interest of the sport and the interest of results at heart.

 

Use that academy to find the absolute best and get rid of the lazy rif-raff along the way.

We have the ability to bring home medals.

Our current and past World Champions have proven that one does not need to live within the "religion of cycling" to be the best.

 

My final say in this, not just do we need the academy ,we need people (coaches) who understand the human body.

People who understand that even through extreme training, equipment, diet and conditioning, the best athlete will be the one who was first given the talent, secondly have the mind and lastly the will to win.

 

As much as Europe has a religion of cycling, I believe South Africans suffer the religion of " I am a sponsored athlete"

[Wyatt Earp]

I could not agree more , we have talanted riders here in SA make no mistake ( Minaar's, Impey ect have prooved it ) , but they need to spend time racing and being developed overseas , we cant expect them to ride at the pace of the Nino's of this world if they have not spent a few good years doing it with them ,learning , building BMT ect . I speak from experiance .

 

And the only way to do that is to throw money at it.

Thus the need for a proper academy, one that can build up a slush fund , one that can find the real hungry and talented riders and develop them for the pride of their nation.

[Gnarly]

And the only way to do that is to throw money at it.

Thus the need for a proper academy, one that can build up a slush fund , one that can find the real hungry and talented riders and develop them for the pride of their nation.

 

Maybe one day the Spur School series will bare fruit.

[Cassie]

Where is our SA riders. Outclassed! Living in a dream in SA. You want compete with the best, go to Europe. No other way

 

Our best SA rider has been tragically killed...or have you forgotten already?

[gummibear]

[Wyatt Earp]

Maybe one day the Spur School series will bare fruit.

 

Hope so.

[gummibear]

[gummibear]

[gummibear]

[gummibear]

[gummibear]

[Wyatt Earp]

 

I don't know how the hell these guys ride these things.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

I don't know how the hell these guys ride these things.

 

Meh, looks easy.............

[gummibear]

Maybe one day the Spur School series will bare fruit.

 

One thing that i have realized is that most of the top mtb riders rode bmx at a young age so their skills were built back then.

SA has some very good juniors and if they get the right opportunities will be great riders in a few years.

Mountain biking is a very hard sport and most kids want the easy life.