Downhill Riders,including current SA National Champ, overlooked for World Champs

[Danger Dassie]

“ 

What we would like to see is CSA focus more on what’s best for the riders, especially since CSA have no funds. Comparing themselves to international standards of other cycling federations when they don’t have government funding to the same extent as those federations, makes no sense. CSA has different challenges and should focus on what’s best for South African Athletes.

It is the position of WC DH, that allowing a bigger quota of riders to represent the country allows these riders to attract sponsors. Since these riders pay for everything themselves (it costs CSA or the country nothing) they should not be stopped by CSA from participating. Most of the riders that should be included in the team, are in Europe already, where the World Championships will take place.

There has to be limits to who can compete and we believe whilst the selection criteria hasn’t served the talent of riders we have, it merely needs some slight adjustments, to make it a fair criteria for the racers. Currently, due to financial reasons, this new selection criteria makes it incredibly difficult or almost impossible for riders to gain international experience andmeet the demands of the selection policy. For riders to travel all over South Africa and then expected to travel all over the world to get experience without backing from CSA, shows that CSA don’t see this from a rider’s point of view. “

[Headshot]

22 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

You sure he owns Pivot? Pivot stemmed from Titus and owned by Chris Cochalis,…..

 

I see he owns Pivot Factory Racing Team along with Chris Cochalis

sorry side bar discussion

Yes, more strange facts on this thread. Well spotted.

 

Its bad when people cant even regurg Google results properly.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Headshot

[Sally E Kirk]

9 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Interesting………

if South Africa’s geography is a stumbling block then surely a European base solves that  issue. No sacrifice is too much in the quest to pursue dreams.

however qualification through the national series was possible so clearly they didn’t want to go to worlds as desperately as projected. Even less reason to support the appeal.

if we have no elites at world champs in 2024 then so be it. I know one or two kids racing MX that could fill that gap in a few years if they chose. One is a friends son. All is not lost, There is another ….

Qualification through the National DH series is indeed possible, however the 4th race in the 2024 National Series was held in Limpopo on the 17th of June, this clashed with a World Cup race in Val di Sole, Italy and I don't see any SA elite rider (self-funded or sponsored) (at age 19, 20, or 29 if you want specifics), giving up the experience of racing at the most difficult track in the WC series to return to South Africa to participate in a National race held on a unchallenging, simplistic, dusty Enduro trail.

Not all of us have the deep pockets required to fund one European season for our riders, let alone provide a European base for them. Sponsorships for travel, accommodation, race entries, DH bikes etc take years to earn through exposure and top level performance.

Our upcoming Junior and young Elite riders require the ongoing support of their Federation both within SA and internationally.

[Jewbacca]

27 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

You sure he owns Pivot? Pivot stemmed from Titus and owned by Chris Cochalis,…..

 

I see he owns Pivot Factory Racing Team along with Chris Cochalis

sorry side bar discussion

He owns Pivot Factory racing

 

Started it in 2012

[SwissVan]

1 hour ago, Headshot said:

And there is a massive difference between MX and DH - big $$ for everything from equipment to coaching. 

 

I'm still not understanding why any of you think it would be a bad idea to have as big a contingent of riders as possible at the Worlds. 

I’ll be the drol in die drinkwater and say it:

As a spectator at many international events and WChamps it’s embarrassing to watch the participants who did not qualify and are just attending to boost the numbers, it’s the real deal at world champs not like Benoni world champs or argust wc’s. 

Also I don’t think it can be good for a participants confidence to suddenly be thrown in literally with the lions.

The business of sending riders to WC who did not qualify has been going on for many years in a variety of sports not just DH, and what good did the so called experience do them, where are they today? 

Its life Jim, but not as we like it

 

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2024 by SwissVan

[Hairy]

On 7/17/2024 at 1:54 PM, rock said:

*was 1998 - he got 28th as a 16 year old

I was there in '98, and took some great pics that I wish I still had on file.

At that time I worked for a cycle shop that sold a brand that some of the internationals were racing, so we got "VIP" tickets.

What a day it was.

 

[Headshot]

17 minutes ago, Sally E Kirk said:

Qualification through the National DH series is indeed possible, however the 4th race in the 2024 National Series was held in Limpopo on the 17th of June, this clashed with a World Cup race in Val di Sole, Italy and I don't see any SA elite rider (self-funded or sponsored) (at age 19, 20, or 29 if you want specifics), giving up the experience of racing at the most difficult track in the WC series to return to South Africa to participate in a National race held on a unchallenging, simplistic, dusty Enduro trail.

Not all of us have the deep pockets required to fund one European season for our riders, let alone provide a European base for them. Sponsorships for travel, accommodation, race entries, DH bikes etc take years to earn through exposure and top level performance.

Our upcoming Junior and young Elite riders require the ongoing support of their Federation both within SA and internationally.

And the first point above goes to show that CSA are out of touch with reality and the WC calendar too,  it seems. 

[Headshot]

19 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

He owns Pivot Factory racing

 

Started it in 2012

Okay, you got it right now.

[DieselnDust]

27 minutes ago, Sally E Kirk said:

Qualification through the National DH series is indeed possible, however the 4th race in the 2024 National Series was held in Limpopo on the 17th of June, this clashed with a World Cup race in Val di Sole, Italy and I don't see any SA elite rider (self-funded or sponsored) (at age 19, 20, or 29 if you want specifics), giving up the experience of racing at the most difficult track in the WC series to return to South Africa to participate in a National race held on a unchallenging, simplistic, dusty Enduro trail.

Not all of us have the deep pockets required to fund one European season for our riders, let alone provide a European base for them. Sponsorships for travel, accommodation, race entries, DH bikes etc take years to earn through exposure and top level performance.

Our upcoming Junior and young Elite riders require the ongoing support of their Federation both within SA and internationally.

Right so Val di sole that earns me bro kudos vs a simplistic enduro trail that gets me to World Champs….

a choice was made at that fork in the road and the consequence is now not enough points. 
 
Seems like I’d only have myself to blame. 
Also wasn’t Les gets initially outside the window for points accumulation and was only allowed into the points since riders were there? So clemency was already given…but they still didn’t qualify

[The Ouzo]

I have no dog in this fight, heck I dont even recognise most of the names being thrown about, but as a general comment.

Would you, as a DH rider that has made the sacrifices and jumped through the hoops to qualify, be happy that someone that did not do any of that, gets a "free pass" just because there are slots available ?

Surely the mere fact that that could happen, will then make the next batch of riders next time around decide to no be bothered with qualifying, because they can gather the funds to fund themselves and grab a free slot.

[Duane_Bosch]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

a European base solves that  issue.

They do. It's called a Ford Transit. Usually 2 guys per transit. No fancy awnings. They mostly park/squat in them in a gravel parking lot just outside Morzine between races. They also wash in the river and use the public toilets at the lift stations for the necessary daily actions.

It's not nearly as glamourous as it sounds tho. Especially when it's been raining for a few days. There's 500 fast poms and ausies doing the same thing or working in chalets to finance their dreams of being the next GM. And that's just in that town.

From there they bounce around doing as many of the world cups and IXS races as they can before their 90 day visa or their money runs out and they have to come home.

I can't really comment on selection criteria but it's INCREDIBLY difficult for these guys to go to Europe every year and live in a van with a pathetic currency and try to race against guys that live there.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Duane_Bosch

[Sally E Kirk]

Still not worth paying for an airticket back to SA in the middle of the European season, logistically and financially makes no sense.

In the previous two years, all 4 SA National DH races were held prior to the Junior and Elite riders departing for Europe in late April/early May, for this exact reason - to accomodate the WC Series and to avoid unnecessary expense for riders and/or sponsors.  

Les Gets was included in the selection criteria at the last minute - why not stick to the orignal criteria as published in March 2024?  Why make an exception for this race and not show discretion/leniency on the other criteria?

 

[Sally E Kirk]

10 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I have no dog in this fight, heck I dont even recognise most of the names being thrown about, but as a general comment.

Would you, as a DH rider that has made the sacrifices and jumped through the hoops to qualify, be happy that someone that did not do any of that, gets a "free pass" just because there are slots available ?

Surely the mere fact that that could happen, will then make the next batch of riders next time around decide to no be bothered with qualifying, because they can gather the funds to fund themselves and grab a free slot.

Definitely not a "free pass" and they are all jumping through the same selection criteria hoops - even Greg Minnaar with 26 years of international experience.  The group of DH riders concerned in this discussion do "bother" to qualify as far is realistically and financially possible.  

 

[Headshot]

21 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I have no dog in this fight, heck I dont even recognise most of the names being thrown about, but as a general comment.

Would you, as a DH rider that has made the sacrifices and jumped through the hoops to qualify, be happy that someone that did not do any of that, gets a "free pass" just because there are slots available ?

Surely the mere fact that that could happen, will then make the next batch of riders next time around decide to no be bothered with qualifying, because they can gather the funds to fund themselves and grab a free slot.

I can say with relative certainty that in DH riders support each other and would be happy to have as many fellow rider riding with them. This is not road racing.

[Headshot]

42 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Right so Val di sole that earns me bro kudos vs a simplistic enduro trail that gets me to World Champs….

a choice was made at that fork in the road and the consequence is now not enough points. 
 
Seems like I’d only have myself to blame. 
Also wasn’t Les gets initially outside the window for points accumulation and was only allowed into the points since riders were there? So clemency was already given…but they still didn’t qualify

You're just being illogical now to avoid climbing off your high horse.  

[DieselnDust]

14 minutes ago, Headshot said:

You're just being illogical now to avoid climbing off your high horse.  

Eish,….

 

I guess a lesson I life choices is illogical, part of being an adult is making tough choices. My above analogy refers. At the fork in the road there is a choice. One leads to the world champs that other to great memories but no WC. 
 

an adult weighs those choices and takes responsibility for their choice, not blame Others for the decision. Or disparage others  adults for pointing out where adulthood lies.

the real Learning is how to be adult. Can’t learn that at the World Champs…