MTN Qhubeka

[DieVlieg]

In recent years the sport of cycling has had a boom in our parts of the world. We have seen an explosion in mountain biking, cycling events in general and cycle shops have increased overnight. Slowly but surely our professional cyclists started taking part in the sport in the international arena in all disciplines of the sport, Down hill, Cross country, stage racing MTB and road, BMX, track and I am sure I am leaving something out. Then they became good and after that part of the best there is.

 

Then with extreme vision and belief a team was created to group our best road cyclists together and put them straight in the middle of the world stage of cycling. MTN Qhubeka is starting their journey on what can be compared to the F1 racing circuit of cycling this weekend, well they have actually started some time ago already but this weekend is the big one for them.

 

We can now say that cycling is one of our biggest professional sporting exports and participation sports, right up there with rugby, golf, swimming and others. The UCI recently complained about South African support at a world cup event on race day. It actually influenced a decision not to host the same event in SA again.

 

My challenge to all hubbers are to support cycling in general and also wherever South Africans take part in the sport with the same passion as we support our rugby boys. MTN Qhubeka is one of those teams that deserves our support. I believe that one thing leads to another and one day this team can take part in an event hosted on African soil and attracting their pears.

 

GO! Qhubeka GO!

 

http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/

[DieVlieg]

• 
  
  Qhubeka
   
  
• 
   
  Qhubeka is an Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa) word that means “to carry on”, “to progress”, “to move forward”. Qhubeka helps people move forward and progress by giving bicycles in return for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results.
  

[SwissVan]

 

 

The UCI recently complained about South African support at a world cup event on race day. It actually influenced a decision not to host the same event in SA again.

 

 

Eh? where, when, link?

[Eldron]

Eh? where, when, link?

 

PMB XCO 2013 - that's why we don't have one this year. Instead it went to Windham where the 13 supporters that pitched had a whale of a time

[DieVlieg]

Eh? where, when, link?

 

It was in an interview on TV. See next years calander in the link NO SA.

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2015-uci-mountain-bike-world-cup-calendar-released

[Gen]

 

 

PMB XCO 2013 - that's why we don't have one this year. Instead it went to Windham where the 13 supporters that pitched had a whale of a time

 

Erm.. we had one this year. . But it is why we won't have one next year..

 

Focus young man

[Eldron]

Erm.. we had one this year. . But it is why we won't have one next year..

 

Focus young man

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzwhat? Ah. Fridaze today!

[SwissVan]

PMB XCO 2013 - that's why we don't have one this year. Instead it went to Windham where the 13 supporters that pitched had a whale of a time

Ahhh so it was because of poor spectator support, my mistake I assumed it to mean over exuberant support... thinking of to many noisy vuvuzela's

It was in an interview on TV. See next years calander in the link NO SA.

 

http://www.cyclingne...lendar-released

Any idea how many spectators attended?

[DieVlieg]

Ahhh so it was because of poor spectator support, my mistake I assumed it to mean over exuberant support... thinking of to many noisy vuvuzela's

Any idea how many spectators attended?

 

Support was one of the factors. The interview was with an local representative/organizer. What I can remember is that he said the event will not be back in SA next year and then he commented that the UCI events in Europe drew big crowds and that the past event in SA was not that well supported. He only mentioned the size of the crowds in Europe but did not give figures for the SA crowd. It was also mentioned that SA is more orientated on marathons.

 

It seemed the decision was short term in favor of another venue. My argument is why should we be 'religated' we should be an preferred destination.

[DieVlieg]

!BUT LETS FOCUS ON MTN QHUBEKA!

[Eugene]

What I find quite interesting is how spectator support has decreased year on year. There was a period where Supercycling would televise a particular race and just before show the same race 10 years ago.

 

The first thing that surprised me was the number of spectators crowding the finish line at the Herald in 2003. In 2013 there was just a few people standing around.

 

Or even watch old footage of the Rapport Tour. See how the people flocked to watch and compare to footage of the Tour of SA (from a few years back) or even the Mzanzi tour. You don't see a spectator in sight.

[HappyMartin]

Pleased to see Boasen Hagen joining Qhubeka . My family are Norwegian. I have a great Uncle who was Norwgian national champion. He has been out a few times. Now I will have him supporting Qhubeka with me

[kosmonooit]

Road cycling (or mtb) certainly not in the broader SA public conciousness - why? let me put forward a few speculations: here its all about money-spinning franchised ball sports, not much room for anything else. Even in the past, cycling was elitist, certainly road was, very few people can relate or are interested. Maybe what we need is a few more local heroes (RIP Burry).

 

Look how cycling was built up in the UK over the past 10+ years with Sir B at the helm, the man with a persevering plan, and the budget to boot. Here everyone is in for a quick buck, and the sponsors and broadcaster hold too much sway as I see it. Then there is the dysfunctional government and semi-gov sports admin or overseer-er organisations that blow their budgets on travel and perks for the chosen few.

 

So MTN-Qubeka is making a name for itself overseas, great, but not much for them back home as I see it.

 

Anyone remember the Zoo Lake Criterium? Fizzled out a few years ago, when I went last time (2012?) the only spectators were the family and friends of the riders it seems.

[HappyMartin]

MTN pulled the plug on th on the Zoo Lake Crit.They didn't like the negative publicity that came from the area being closed off. There were people that took an extra 5 minutes to get to the shopping mall. You know how traumatic that can be

[DieVlieg]

What I find quite interesting is how spectator support has decreased year on year. There was a period where Supercycling would televise a particular race and just before show the same race 10 years ago.

 

The first thing that surprised me was the number of spectators crowding the finish line at the Herald in 2003. In 2013 there was just a few people standing around.

 

Or even watch old footage of the Rapport Tour. See how the people flocked to watch and compare to footage of the Tour of SA (from a few years back) or even the Mzanzi tour. You don't see a spectator in sight.

 

I think organizers can also to a little more to accommodate the spectators. I have not tried it yet but believe it must be boring waiting a whole day at the finish. Routes can be set up to have areas where spectators can with ease support along the road with entertainment. Specially mountain biking. Gees it would be nice to have some support at the half way mark. In mountain biking you can manipulate the route in a manner to go past the start finish area or close to it more than once without doubling a piece of the track. Or create areas were users walk two or three km's between viewing areas.

 

Organizers have little to offer these days except loud music and very little community involvement along the way. Fo instance they can approach communities along the way to host spectators but instead they prefer spectators stay in the start finish so they can buy from the organised food stalls and bear tents. What about after event functions where people can get together. Now the prize giving is rushed off long before the last person is in. If the so called pro's don't want to wait because either the prize is not worth the weight or they are to important let them bugger off. For me at the moment I get to the finish I hear my name and get a medal and then nothing. It's all over

[DieVlieg]

But seriously what is your thoughts on MTN Qhubeka!