All things Team Qhubeka NextHash

[Frosty]

Why anyone would move from UAE to a African team amazes me.

But then again anyone who would consider cycling as a career also amazes me.

1% chance of success 99% failure.

What’s wrong with someone choosing to ride their bike at WT level, irrespective of the team they’re on?

 

There are only 125 spots allocated on both the European and PGA tours, and a few wildcards allocated for certain tournaments. Why would someone consider trying to be a pro golfer? Because they enjoy playing the sport, be it at PGA Tour level, or the second-tier level, or at club level.

[stringbean]

What’s wrong with someone choosing to ride their bike at WT level, irrespective of the team they’re on?

 

There are only 125 spots allocated on both the European and PGA tours, and a few wildcards allocated for certain tournaments. Why would someone consider trying to be a pro golfer? Because they enjoy playing the sport, be it at PGA Tour level, or the second-tier level, or at club level.

I have a bit of a problem with youngsters and parents pushing their children that aren’t realistic.We have led the youth to believe “ if you dream it,you can achieve it” which is actually BS.Nowdays every youngster that comes top 10 in local PPA race thinks they are WT material and will chase this dream pushed by parents believing this crap.Even if someone like John tells them they won’t make it they will still try.Hell I race with guys who are almost masters and still think that pro contract is around the corner.When I was young my dream was to be a porn star.Luckily I realised very early on I didn’t have the goods.

[J Wakefield]

I have a bit of a problem with youngsters and parents pushing their children that aren’t realistic.We have led the youth to believe “ if you dream it,you can achieve it” which is actually BS.Nowdays every youngster that comes top 10 in local PPA race thinks they are WT material and will chase this dream pushed by parents believing this crap.Even if someone like John tells them they won’t make it they will still try.Hell I race with guys who are almost masters and still think that pro contract is around the corner.When I was young my dream was to be a porn star.Luckily I realised very early on I didn’t have the goods.

 

 

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

[Vetplant]

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

Thought it only happened in Rugby that parents push their kids beyond breaking point.

 

The physio I went to recently told me that allot of the schoolboys that come through her practice have asked her to tell their parents that they shouldn't play anymore due to one or other physical condition, as the kid doesn't want to do it anymore. Really, really sad.

 

I don't know where the balance lies from a parenting perspective.

 

Let's say you think you have an Allen Hatherly on your hands, how do you remove your own bias and yet motivate him enough to keep pushing his dream when you "know" he can do it if he really commits?

 

Not just talking cycling, any sport/area of interest.

[stringbean]

Very easy 

Couple if tests by the guys at Sports Science can tell you what level you should achieve.Straight off the bat I realised I have the sports genes of a Cape Dassie and should not give up my day job.Along with those numbers and common sense should be easy along with true answers you must give to a couple of questions.

How big is your bank balance?( if you looking at cycling be prepared to back yourself for years financially)
What is the success rate of your chosen sport?( if you want to be a formula 1 driver realise there are only 21 spots)

Am I allowed to say colour of skin?( many sports including cycling have quota systems that teams have to fulfill)

Are you connected in any way?

[stringbean]

I think the extremely important thing is ALWAYS to have a plan B.

[Pure Savage]

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

I feel for you! We are an Amatuer bunch of misfits and we also get CV's from people's parents wanting their kid to ride for Pure Savage as the next this and that! 

 

So for someone with no actual pro team getting requests I can imagine your inbox must be crazy!

[Danger Dassie]

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

Also receive numerous requests for 'sponsorship' and coverage of kids, instead of just letting them be kids.

 

I remember us discussing this and wanting to do an article on it.

Imho it is central to a number of societal problems that exist and created an unhealthy misconception of performance and wellness. 

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Danger Dassie

[Vetplant]

Very easy 

Couple if tests by the guys at Sports Science can tell you what level you should achieve.Straight off the bat I realised I have the sports genes of a Cape Dassie and should not give up my day job.Along with those numbers and common sense should be easy along with true answers you must give to a couple of questions.

How big is your bank balance?( if you looking at cycling be prepared to back yourself for years financially)

What is the success rate of your chosen sport?( if you want to be a formula 1 driver realise there are only 21 spots)

Am I allowed to say colour of skin?( many sports including cycling have quota systems that teams have to fulfill)

Are you connected in any way?

My Dad always use to say it is substantially easier to get into parliament than into the Springbok team.

 

Parliament has 400 seats and you are guaranteed the seat for 4 years.

 

Springboks has a 23 member match-day squad. And even the best guys can fall out of the squad for any number of reasons.

[lechatnoir]

My Dad always use to say it is substantially easier to get into parliament than into the Springbok team.

 

Parliament has 400 seats and you are guaranteed the seat for 4 years.

 

Springboks has a 23 member match-day squad. And even the best guys can fall out of the squad for any number of reasons.

 

That, and you actually have to be pretty good to make the team...

[Frosty]

I have a bit of a problem with youngsters and parents pushing their children that aren’t realistic.We have led the youth to believe “ if you dream it,you can achieve it” which is actually BS.Nowdays every youngster that comes top 10 in local PPA race thinks they are WT material and will chase this dream pushed by parents believing this crap.Even if someone like John tells them they won’t make it they will still try.Hell I race with guys who are almost masters and still think that pro contract is around the corner.When I was young my dream was to be a porn star.Luckily I realised very early on I didn’t have the goods.

I get this post, but your previous post was why someone would choose to move from UAE to an African team, like Louis did. Or even take up pro cycling.

 

These are two worlds apart. Louis is not doing well by past performances, and WT standards but he is still there. It's completely different to local youngsters that want to pursue that "dream".

 

Willie (Smurf) dropped from Katusha to that Spanish team (Pro Conti). Why give up a WT spot? John has previously explained this, and doesn't mean it's a bad decision.

 

Daryl (Impey) could have chosen to stay in Africa and race on the local circuit, but he gave up almost everything to pursue the European dream. Even when he lost his spot with the failed Pegasus team, and was given a lifeline with MTN-Qhubeka and NetApp (now Bora, if I'm not mistaken), he admitted that racing locally was not for him - he had to get back to the WT. There was no help from Dad, he had to do it the hard way.

[Mntboy]

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

I think it can be very hard for people to divorce what you do as a coach from that which a sports manager would be required to do while somehow thinking you do both jobs for your athletes???? Seems something of a foolish notion to me. At least it is clear in my mind that a coach is not a sports manager. Although I assume there are a few who are the exception to the rule. 

 

That said the fact that Matt isn't with the team any more (at least to my best knowledge) speaks volumes of how high the standard is at Pro Continental and WT level is not withstanding any potential ideas or vision that the individual athlete might have with regards to his (or her) career. You'll obviously have a much better understanding of exactly how high that standard is and I don't think that Matt not making the cut (for a lack of a better phrase) means he is a poor athlete but rather emphasises the level of sacrifice and commitment required to a member of a pro team never mind being in with a chance of winning at the highest level. The Pro Continental & WT guys and girls really are the top 1% of the racing elites. 

[Vetplant]

I think it can be very hard for people to divorce what you do as a coach from that which a sports manager would be required to do while somehow thinking you do both jobs for your athletes???? Seems something of a foolish notion to me. At least it is clear in my mind that a coach is not a sports manager. Although I assume there are a few who are the exception to the rule. 

 

That said the fact that Matt isn't with the team any more (at least to my best knowledge) speaks volumes of how high the standard is at Pro Continental and WT level is not withstanding any potential ideas or vision that the individual athlete might have with regards to his (or her) career. You'll obviously have a much better understanding of exactly how high that standard is and I don't think that Matt not making the cut (for a lack of a better phrase) means he is a poor athlete but rather emphasises the level of sacrifice and commitment required to a member of a pro team never mind being in with a chance of winning at the highest level. The Pro Continental & WT guys and girls really are the top 1% of the racing elites. 

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

One further small note to add: Genetics are also a big determining factor.

 

Pogacar has superhuman recovery powers by some accounts.

 

Evenepoel has the most ideal leg proportions imaginable to man, by some accounts.

 

If we want to be serious contenders in world sport, we need a solution to identify those kids with the remarkable genetics and then guide them into the appropriate sports that match their genetics. 

 

Strong Genetics + Commitment will always trump someone with commitment but lacking the Genetics.

 

I understand that China has such a system, thus the reason that they can compete with an economic powerhouse such as the USA.

[Shebeen]

All the transfer and sponsorship news is not looking good for DD...add the UCI world rankings and it's diabolical. Time to start winning boys! Goooo DD!

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-climbs-worldtour-ranking-after-giro-ditalia-victory/

Just shows it's been 2 years + of not much.

 

You'd have to be a real fanboy to throw good money at this.

[Shebeen]

This is a very good post and observation and not uncommon at all. As an example, last year when Matt Beers did a staigaire gig on the team many thought it was cause I made it happen. It was actually not the case.

 

I was asked by management "tell us about your mountain bike boys" being Alan and Matt. I did so and then had to provide a full package of info of a physiological profile, test data etc. Then they decided to bring Matt over for a gig. Alan had the XC deal so it wouldn't work.

 

From that being public I had a massive influx of stuff from every parent to rider who wanted me to "get my kid on the team" I got CV's, race results, marriage to their 1st daughter and everything in-between. I even got asked to then put their kid on NAD cause Matt was leaving. Some of it was surreal. The best was "if I coach with you, will you make it happen?"

 

No I wont.

 

When you looked at the CV's and profiles the difference is so great that you have to think how they got to the point that they think their kid is this level. I would explain at times how big a gap is and the 1 example was "your son is 20min of Matt on average in results on a 1 day race in SA, the routes are easy and you want to go WT?"

 

I was sent power numbers as a once off best - I explained that your sons best 8min on a road bike up Hels is what Matt does for 30min x 3 on a mtb on gravel. 

 

I was often told I was a **** for this and not being able to help.

 

However, they are still lead to believe and pushed into this situation and to me it is sad and worrying to see but I also do understand it. 

 

Even now since the Tour is over, the communication I have gotten for this type of thing is alot, along with the requests for bottles, yellow jerseys etc from people I do not know or have met.

 

My 2c.

ha ha, we're going to need pictures of the prospective daughters before we believe you.

 

got to be a real clueless enthusiast to ask for a yellow jersey from the team who only got it on the final day!

[Mntboy]

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

One further small note to add: Genetics are also a big determining factor.

 

Pogacar has superhuman recovery powers by some accounts.

 

Evenepoel has the most ideal leg proportions imaginable to man, by some accounts.

 

If we want to be serious contenders in world sport, we need a solution to identify those kids with the remarkable genetics and then guide them into the appropriate sports that match their genetics. 

 

Strong Genetics + Commitment will always trump someone with commitment but lacking the Genetics.

 

I understand that China has such a system, thus the reason that they can compete with an economic powerhouse such as the USA.

Yes and No. Yes having good genetics helps and being committed helps as well but it doesn't necessarily explain people like Shane Warne, who to my best knowledge didn't have parents with any serious sporting talent. I suppose Warne is an outlier but he does have 708 test wickets and is considered by some pundits the greatest ever bowler in cricket. We've seen that the kids and/or grandkids of sporting legends often fail to live up to expectations of them to cite a South African example Anthony Pollock who is the son of Graeme Pollock. So while having good genetics is a definite advantage I think have a strong commitment to training and diet and skills development and the right mental attitude also goes a long way towards building a successful International athlete.