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

[Danger Dassie]

2 hours ago, ians H2Sport said:

Dude, I'm not involved with CSA

Oh, mistaken identity then. Two different Ian Smith’s. Sorry dude.

[DieselnDust]

6 hours ago, droo said:

Bear in mind that the first ever prize for a MTB race was a bag of marijuana. 

Street value?

for SARS purposes of course 

[DieselnDust]

Aaaah I see we’re back to the 2024 debate on whether people should go to worlds or not?

if they qualified , let them go. If they didn’t, then they didn’t and they don’t go. 
Simple as that. 
positive influence , negative influence…? It’s my job to raise my kids. I can’t even use an fbomb in traffic without the dreaded swearing penalty jar being placed  under my nose….

raise them right and fbombers aren’t a problem 

[NotSoBigBen]

If only those who had a realistic chance of winning, be it some world champs or local church bazaar race, were to attend there would be very few at just about any race. For many simply being able to take part, whether by qualifying or because you're physically able, is a privilege

Maar nou ja, don't mind me

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, NotSoBigBen said:

If only those who had a realistic chance of winning, be it some world champs or local church bazaar race, were to attend there would be very few at just about any race. For many simply being able to take part, whether by qualifying or because you're physically able, is a privilege

Maar nou ja, don't mind me

 

Sunday's Gun Run hammered this reality home.

 

9 000 entries sold out in 7 days.

 

7 740 started .... whole different story in that.

 

The winners came in at 1 hour and 2 minutes for 21,1 km (21,38km on Garmin).  That is barely 20 minutes after the last group started !! 😵

 

Some 7 000 people rocked up with no expectation of winning .... 

 

BUT ... It was so good to hear why the people were there.  One gent missed the entries, then got one via substitution but had to start at the back.  He managed a 1.35 passing thousands of runners.  Rest of us were doing our 1st or 2nd half marathon.  What an opportunity to grow in our sport. Heck, I was way way back of the field, but improved 17 minutes on my previous time.

 

Going to Nationals, going to Worlds, going to the Olympics ..... heck, if you made the cut then GO.

 

 

Being a rol model .... whole different topic .... sadly very few athletes today are rol models worth following .... personally, I am old school on this topic ....

[DJuice]

My take on going for expierence…remember the Alan fall out going to Rio.

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/rio-games-mens-xco-race-how-reid-and-hatherly-will-fare/

That Rio expierence brought us Saffa’s a two time world champ.

Ps. The link is broken for the controversy, if I recall Philip Buys was left of the team in favour of Alan.

 

[vanniri]

On 9/15/2025 at 11:33 AM, Sally E Kirk said:

Perks of the job😵 Monster girls follow you around - Les Gets World Cup August 2025.

 

The day will come when the male variety will also be included in this line-up. Similar to the TdF podium

Monster = marketing spend. On ode to consumerism  I guess

[meandmetoo]

Theo rips. All the haters will point out (what they belive to be) his flaws. He has worked extremely hards to get to that level, him and his family have made sacrifices for these opportunities. He has a huge personality with big emotions and gets excited when he is doing well and beats himself up when he feels he hasn't performed to his best. Pressure on athletes, on this level, is huge, sponsors, governing bodies, fans etc all want something from them. If his sponsors have a problem with his actions and social media posts I'm sure they would take some form of disciplinary action or pull their sponsorship. But that will probably not happen because they see the value of having and athlete with his skill and personality as a benefit. Not everyone wants to see the clean cut, overly serious guy who has no interaction with their fans. Some of us want to see the 'cult' side, the freeriders who boost huge airs and are fearless, guys who push the limits and progress their sport. Kids will relate more when they see people having a jol with their mates on bikes. If you feel he isn't a good role model thats your opinion, but he is one of the best we have representing SA in DH but because he swears in a video you chastise him. Have you heard some of the languge in the trailhead parking lots, or even at your local Spur or how 15yr olds talk to each other when adults are not around? Did Theo personally inspire that? NO. Do you say Rassie is a bad role model because he swears in the changeroom? 

 

DH is very different to XC, TT, road, track etc. SA doesn't have a big DH scene and the riders that take part are very different in their personalities, normally coming from a fringe scene (normally Park or BMX) that is a different subculture of cycling, more punk rock compared to Jacaranda fm. Adrenaline vs stamina, people get different kicks out of being on their bikes, personally I would never ride XC as I don't get enjoyment out of it. Different strokes

 

But he deserves our support on and off the track none the less. I proudly support Theo and if you find him offensive then don't watch his career

[Pinned_1]

Hey guys, 

I had a really rough weekend man! After experiencing an unexpected mechanical issue that ruined my race day at a key event this year, I was left deeply disappointed. It has been a challenging season marked by both injuries and mechanical setbacks, and encountering another issue at such an important event was incredibly disheartening.

In the aftermath, I shared that post on my social media expressing my frustration, in which I used language that was inappropriate and not reflective of the respect I have for this sport, its supporters, and the broader riding community. A couple hours later, I cooled off, and realised it wasn’t the right thing to do. I removed the post and I want to sincerely apologize for the language used.

I remain fully committed to the values of professionalism and sportsmanship and am grateful for the continued support from fans, peers, and the industry as a whole.

Racing at this level takes a lot of investment and emotional capacity, sometimes emotions get the best of us. I’m never too old to learn! 
 

Sorry about that one guys! 

 

[Headshot]

On 9/21/2025 at 1:44 PM, meandmetoo said:

Theo rips. All the haters will point out (what they belive to be) his flaws. He has worked extremely hards to get to that level, him and his family have made sacrifices for these opportunities. He has a huge personality with big emotions and gets excited when he is doing well and beats himself up when he feels he hasn't performed to his best. Pressure on athletes, on this level, is huge, sponsors, governing bodies, fans etc all want something from them. If his sponsors have a problem with his actions and social media posts I'm sure they would take some form of disciplinary action or pull their sponsorship. But that will probably not happen because they see the value of having and athlete with his skill and personality as a benefit. Not everyone wants to see the clean cut, overly serious guy who has no interaction with their fans. Some of us want to see the 'cult' side, the freeriders who boost huge airs and are fearless, guys who push the limits and progress their sport. Kids will relate more when they see people having a jol with their mates on bikes. If you feel he isn't a good role model thats your opinion, but he is one of the best we have representing SA in DH but because he swears in a video you chastise him. Have you heard some of the languge in the trailhead parking lots, or even at your local Spur or how 15yr olds talk to each other when adults are not around? Did Theo personally inspire that? NO. Do you say Rassie is a bad role model because he swears in the changeroom? 

 

DH is very different to XC, TT, road, track etc. SA doesn't have a big DH scene and the riders that take part are very different in their personalities, normally coming from a fringe scene (normally Park or BMX) that is a different subculture of cycling, more punk rock compared to Jacaranda fm. Adrenaline vs stamina, people get different kicks out of being on their bikes, personally I would never ride XC as I don't get enjoyment out of it. Different strokes

 

But he deserves our support on and off the track none the less. I proudly support Theo and if you find him offensive then don't watch his career

Yep, that's the nail on the head. Anyone would think some of the commentators here are a bunch of roadies... oh wait...

[milky4130]

After reading that rant Eminem's lyrics of The Real Slim Shady immediately came to mind....😝

"My bum is on your lips, ….
By the time they hit fourth grade they've got the Discovery Channel…

Edited September 22, 2025 by milky4130
Removed some of the lyrics so I don’t get into trouble

[DieselnDust]

4 hours ago, milky4130 said:

After reading that rant Eminem's lyrics of The Real Slim Shady immediately came to mind....😝

"My bum is on your lips, ….
By the time they hit fourth grade they've got the Discovery Channel…

LOL at the reason for edit🤣

[MORNE]

Go watch Theo’s Les Gets recap…

i personally found this super entertaining and insightful. The official coverage is garbage and content like this bucks that trend. He deffo has a knack for it. We all love Rob Warner…i guess he gets a free pass because nostalgia? He casually swears in all his videos. Then after you watch the linked video, remember to come back here and badmouth your top elite athletes, yes all your Bruni’s, Goldstones, Perrions for their potty mouths too….

Its the nature of the sport. Extreme atletes being extreme. They are just words.

Keep being yourself @Pinned_1 Rather a passionate, emotional Verstappen than a boring corporate drone Russel….

Edited September 23, 2025 by MORNE