hard work and determination or natural ability

[Dicky DQ]

I am sure GM pobably could finish the Epic, but so far, he hasn't yet - he has entered before, but withdrawn before the start.

 

not so much i know for a Fact that he finished at least one that I rode in and even partnered with one of our outcasts (cant remember which) when thier partners faded. He was almost a podium contender. go check the record books.

 

He did and will still put many to shame.

[Dicky DQ]

Re Greg Minnar and Cape Epic

http://www.cape-epic.com/news/612/

 

http://www.h3publications.com/nucleus/media/4/20070405-1175688143.jpg

Edited June 19, 2014 by Dick

[DIPSLICK]

He went to a really good school with a proud tradition of producing great young men...

Let me guess, silver spoon ,,,,,you also happen to go there :)

['Dale]

If you're interested in the obsession, science and luck behind the worlds fastest cyclists read Faster by Michael Hutchinson.

 

The rise of British Cycling, how far cycling lagged behind other sports in training methods and how they took a rower and made her into a track cycling gold medallist in 4 years. Absolutely fascinating how every single aspect of a race is analysed and the exact requirements are determined that is needed to succeed. For example Wiggo training to survive attacks in the mountains which means he had to "recover" at 420W.

 

420?!

 

Yoh!

['Dale]

 

 

I thought this was already debunked as not accurate?

 

Yes, it has.

But is still held as valid in the eyes of many.

[Frosty]

With regards to talent vs hard work, it can be (sort of) summed up at the Czech XCO WC race, where Nino Schuter had literally ridden away from the field. There's a shortish section of rocks where he free-wheeled over this section compared to the others behind him had 1-2 pedal strokes to get over the first and last section. Might not seem like much, but his speed over this section is much more than the others.

 

I'll see if I can get it uploaded somehow - still on the PVR.

Here's the link to a brief look at Schurter's talented skill vs many of the rest:

[Spoke101]

A little background to GM,

 

When he's around in PMB before the racing season, he normally joins in with our morning group ride (Road).

Now we are an odd mix match of guy's including a few SA road vet podium finishers/champs, and some seriously hard men, so the pace is hot.

It's just under 70kms from this place door 2 door with around 1000m ascent and we were doing this 3 times a week and this means getting up at 4am.

Towards the end of the ride we have a little uphill called "Polly Shorts" which is always nearly a race to the top and trust me when I says trying to shake GM off your wheel is like trying to get gum off the sole of your shoe. This is then followed by a uphill sprint and guess who the reigning champ is GM hands down has a kick that would put half the SA elite road riders to shame.

He used to come out in the evening and race Track with us and there again rolling round at +50km/h for an hour and smashing everyone on the bell laps.

He is also in the gym at least once daily.

Back when I was growing up and starting out with XC 2003/2004 I remember GM coming flying past in pursuit of Burry at the local KZN races.

Finally there is the skill level which is mind blowing, whilst on a road bike he rides up to a red light and as he hits the stop line pulls an endo/stoppie now whilst the rear wheel is in the air he swings it 90degrees and then whilst still on only the front wheel reverses backwards getting the rear wheel over the gutter and putting it down on the pavement, then still rolling backwards pops the front wheel over the gutter on to the pavement, and this all happens whilst being cleated in. Mind was "Blown"

[Peach.]

If I could just stop breaking my bones i'm pretty sure I could get a podium in World cup DH

 

 

 

 

 

in Female elites that is

[Spoke101]

Here's the link to a brief look at Schurter's talented skill vs many of the rest:

 

http://mtb.pl/sites/default/files/zdjecia_w_tekscie/03042014/20140304172149.jpg

 

Give this a watch. Nino with the white helmet.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AbcIhFktHNo

[Frosty]

 

http://mtb.pl/sites/default/files/zdjecia_w_tekscie/03042014/20140304172149.jpg

 

Give this a watch. Nino with the white helmet.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AbcIhFktHNo

If I remember correctly, he did something like this at the Epic this year

[Stretch]

A little background to GM,

 

When he's around in PMB before the racing season, he normally joins in with our morning group ride (Road).

Now we are an odd mix match of guy's including a few SA road vet podium finishers/champs, and some seriously hard men, so the pace is hot.

It's just under 70kms from this place door 2 door with around 1000m ascent and we were doing this 3 times a week and this means getting up at 4am.

Towards the end of the ride we have a little uphill called "Polly Shorts" which is always nearly a race to the top and trust me when I says trying to shake GM off your wheel is like trying to get gum off the sole of your shoe. This is then followed by a uphill sprint and guess who the reigning champ is GM hands down has a kick that would put half the SA elite road riders to shame.

He used to come out in the evening and race Track with us and there again rolling round at +50km/h for an hour and smashing everyone on the bell laps.

He is also in the gym at least once daily.

Back when I was growing up and starting out with XC 2003/2004 I remember GM coming flying past in pursuit of Burry at the local KZN races.

Finally there is the skill level which is mind blowing, whilst on a road bike he rides up to a red light and as he hits the stop line pulls an endo/stoppie now whilst the rear wheel is in the air he swings it 90degrees and then whilst still on only the front wheel reverses backwards getting the rear wheel over the gutter and putting it down on the pavement, then still rolling backwards pops the front wheel over the gutter on to the pavement, and this all happens whilst being cleated in. Mind was "Blown"

 

tell me about...i always see his name Waaaaaaay above mine in strava segments. I would often see him hitting the gym at the early hours of the morning when we were about to head off on training rides...pure prefessionalism

[DIPSLICK]

 

 

tell me about...i always see his name Waaaaaaay above mine in strava segments. I would often see him hitting the gym at the early hours of the morning when we were about to head off on training rides...pure prefessionalism

Hey bud thread remained on track (mostly) lekke, good info pulled from here

[Stretch]

Hey bud thread remained on track (mostly) lekke, good info pulled from here

 

indeed it did

[Mr X]

NEITHER! YOU NEED A SCALY TEAM DOCTOR WITH SOME UNDETECTABLE EPOS, AND THEN ALSO SOME TRAINING AND TALENT!

[Peach.]

NEITHER! YOU NEED A SCALY TEAM DOCTOR WITH SOME UNDETECTABLE EPOS, AND THEN ALSO SOME TRAINING AND TALENT!

 

That will do it for most disciplines but definitely not DH, Trials and Dirt jump.

 

That's how SA cycling works.

In Europe you need the talent and training first, then you get the EPO.

[Pieterg]

Bite the bullet and you will get there