Prize money for races

[KingTJ]

The boy is still young, the body shape can still be worked on coz he is middle'ish. I am also aware of the technicalities around both sports except for the prize money that I am enquiring about

Greg Minnaar seems to be doing pretty well for himself, so is the Dimension Data team....so stop worrying about the prize money, focus on the potential.

 

The short answer for this is: Yes, he can make a living from it.

[MrDLR]

I have to agree that he must do what he likes the most and technically you are only allowed to receive prize money form junior up(so 17-18) although u/16's do get prize money at some of the races and it is sometimes quite good eg. 94.7 where 1st u/16 got about R2500 when I was u/16 2 years ago. Most races are about R500 for first. BUT money must NOT be the priority positive racing in any race is always more rewarding in the long run then any other prize.

[Job]

I have to agree that he must do what he likes the most and technically you are only allowed to receive prize money form junior up(so 17-18) although u/16's do get prize money at some of the races and it is sometimes quite good eg. 94.7 where 1st u/16 got about R2500 when I was u/16 2 years ago. Most races are about R500 for first. BUT money must NOT be the priority positive racing in any race is always more rewarding in the long run then any other prize.

Thanks so much..this is the best answer.U told me what I wanted to know. Passion+ capability should hand in hand. The only info I wanted was about the money not bcs it is everything but I needed to that piece of info just to have a holistic understanding of junior cycling.

[Job]

Now that the issue about money has been adressed, I have one more question... I currently have a Merida carbon bike (Ultegra) I decided to give it to him and I will focus on MTB since he has started cycling..I took him for a proper bike setup but what I want to know is what cassette should I fit in for him to qualify as an U/16 cyclist? I know I must also get him a licence from CSA.

[MrDLR]

For u/16 the best gears is a 52 front chainring and a 16 cog the smallest at the back. 53 tooth chainrings aren't allowed until u/23

[andydude]

Just note, an actual maximum chainring or sprocket is not the rule, but rather the distance the gear travels. For u/16 it is "Under 16: equal or not more than 6,897 meters*, i.e. a 52 x 16 gear ratio". But he might prefer a 50 chainring. That's another reason a setup might be a good idea.

 

Read more here and they also explain why it http://www.wpcycling.com/scholars/gear-restrictions-young-road-riders/

 

If you are interested, perhaps it's not a bad idea to read the CSA (Cycling South Africa) rules and regulations here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53f5fb7ce4b0cab4a7fe8561/t/53fcced6e4b02547ea72ee79/1409076950801/1.Part+3A+Road+Cycling...amended+January+2014.pdf and they obviously also refer to the gearing in point 3.3.1.2

 

Good luck to you and your son !

[Job]

^{Thanks everyone for your inputs. Although most of you went off the tangent and started answering what I have not asked - I heard from bikehub pyschologists, mentors, advicers etc..anyway I appreciate you all although it didn't help me coz what u where saying is what I already practice and believe in}  

 

^{Out of 39 replies, only MrDLR and Andydude gave me info I asked....ohh not to forget KingTJ  who also mentioned that Greg Minaar is making a living out of the spot, but it is very clear that the sport should be more for entertainment and enjoyment than a career, cos  you have a better chance of being struck by lighting than being successful in making a living out of it. I am on my way to the golf shop to get my son golf clubs..cheers for now}  

[Icycling]

^{Thanks everyone for your inputs. Although most of you went off the tangent and started answering what I have not asked - I heard from bikehub pyschologists, mentors, advicers etc..anyway I appreciate you all although it didn't help me coz what u where saying is what I already practice and believe in}  

 

^{Out of 39 replies, only MrDLR and Andydude gave me info I asked....ohh not to forget KingTJ  who also mentioned that Greg Minaar is making a living out of the spot, but it is very clear that the sport should be more for entertainment and enjoyment than a career, cos  you have a better chance of being struck by lighting than being successful in making a living out of it. I am on my way to the golf shop to get my son golf clubs..cheers for now}  

Their is a lot of truth in what you say - if you getting your kids into cycling to try make a living - make a U turn.

 

It is really unfortunate state of affairs that association like PPA spend far more money on investment fund than they do on the sport. Basically no PPA event (events office does - Cape Town cycle tour and 99er but nothing compared to say running) offer any prize money - how are they going to attract a younger cyclist? Maybe this is why the average age of the Cape Town Cycle tour rider, I believe, is over 40 years of age.

[eddy]

^{Thanks everyone for your inputs. Although most of you went off the tangent and started answering what I have not asked - I heard from bikehub pyschologists, mentors, advicers etc..anyway I appreciate you all although it didn't help me coz what u where saying is what I already practice and believe in}  

 

^{Out of 39 replies, only MrDLR and Andydude gave me info I asked....ohh not to forget KingTJ  who also mentioned that Greg Minaar is making a living out of the spot, but it is very clear that the sport should be more for entertainment and enjoyment than a career, cos  you have a better chance of being struck by lighting than being successful in making a living out of it. I am on my way to the golf shop to get my son golf clubs..cheers for now}  

 

 

I have re-read everybody's advice and even though you have chosen to dismiss it, most of the serious answers were good advice.

 

A last word on the matter, If you want your son to make a good living, skip the golf clubs and get him a good Maths tutor.

 

There are many more extremely wealthy Actuaries or Accountants in the world, far fewer poor ones and the top ones earn a lot more over a lifetime that the top sportsman of any stripe.

 

If you are really interested in him making money, which is what your original question alluded to, get him an education. 

[pe3nguin]

 

 

There are many more extremely wealthy Actuaries or Accountants in the world

 

Yes. But we hate what we do. Pay me a pittance to ride a bike and we have a deal.

 

[source]: Unwealthy accountant

 

Edit: Clarification on financial position

[Sparki 1]

^{Thanks everyone for your inputs. Although most of you went off the tangent and started answering what I have not asked - I heard from bikehub pyschologists, mentors, advicers etc..anyway I appreciate you all although it didn't help me coz what u where saying is what I already practice and believe in}  

 

^{Out of 39 replies, only MrDLR and Andydude gave me info I asked....ohh not to forget KingTJ  who also mentioned that Greg Minaar is making a living out of the spot, but it is very clear that the sport should be more for entertainment and enjoyment than a career, cos  you have a better chance of being struck by lighting than being successful in making a living out of it. I am on my way to the golf shop to get my son golf clubs..cheers for now}  

what about me???? i was the one who said if it's money u after let the boy go play golf....

[Skinnyone]

I would say that to make a living in any sport, your kid is going to need HUGE financial backing from you, racing junior is not cheap, as these days its all about who has a better set of wheels or blinger shoes...in my day it was about who had the legs...I had a Le Turbo steel bike with 7 speed gruppo and it was only when I started winning races that my dad bought me a Cannondale with 8 speed 105 on...I raced and trained on that (same wheels too) for about 8 years until I could afford to buy my own bike.

 

I have seen so many kids being spoilt by dad buying the latest and greatest piece of kit because little Johnny thinks that it will give him the edge over little Bobby who has the same...THIS is where the PASSION kicks in...if he wants to beat little Bobby then HE will do the training and make the effort to do so. NOT rely on some piece of equipment that is 10 grams lighter to give him the edge.

 

Same goes for ANY sport, if HE (not you dad) has the passion then he needs to

1) Prove it 

2) Do the work to get to the top

3) KEEP doing the work to stay at the top and not because of the money.

 

But to answer the original question, yes there may be prize money at events but that CANNOT be the driving factor for any up and coming sports person...that is an after effect i.e. a reward for the hard work already done.

 

Go buy him a set of golf clubs by all means, spend R100k if you need (want) to, but does that make your kid the next Tiger Woods...no.

[eddy]

Yes. But we hate what we do. Pay me a pittance to ride a bike and we have a deal.

 

[source]: Unwealthy accountant

 

Edit: Clarification on financial position

Cycling (or playing golf) for fun is a very different proposition to doing it to put bread on your table.

 

Ask any girl who used to enjoy seks what it is like having to do it to feed her children.

 

The joy of it disappears very quickly. And cyclists, like hookers regularly have to turn to drugs to help them cope with the demands of the job.

[MEYER1]

Good Luck with GOLF only  the top 20 on the sunshine tour make money . I knew off prose that  slept in the cares to cave money.

[pe3nguin]

The joy of it disappears very quickly. And cyclists, like hookers regularly have to turn to drugs to help them cope with the demands of the job.

 

Makes sense. I make a killing selling meth to auditors.

 

[Edit]: Not srs. SAICA please be reasonable