Luke Moir Left Stranded

[J Wakefield]

4 hours ago, Jbr said:

It's crazy, so many people who travel all the time live there, 3hr drive before and after flights sounds like a massive drawback ! I guess not paying taxes on a massive income makes up for it.

Its not only about tax, its a has many benefits to live there and its great, I enjoy it. I also really enjoy my time when Im in Girona between. 

The travel isnt an issue if If you have your own car or can afford a private taxi. Remember when you going to a race, often a 1 or few others are and you split the fee. Then it's not 3 hours, 3 hours is by bus if you have no car. If you want a private taxi it's quicker but 250e 1 way.

So for a privateer with no large financial backing or a struggling privateer its not really an ideal place to base yourself

[DieselnDust]

14 minutes ago, renayg said:

What has happened to Luke couldn't really have come at a worse time.

Luke has a big transition to make from u23 to elite racing this year. He has spent the last few years catching up from missing two seasons of racing due to Covid travel restrictions and finishing school, and last year he finally managed to get back to the sharp end of the field consistently which is no doubt a huge boost for his confidence and morale.

With Candice and Darren having chosen to continue the privateer route, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work for Luke. The Lill's have done this for many, many years and have a system that works for them. They know all the ins and outs of the WC racing scene and have many connections that help them do what they do well. What works for them is probably not the best option for Luke.

I had the opportunity to travel with Luke in 2023 for a few of the WC races, helping with logistics, shopping, cooking, cleaning bikes, sorting out spares and helping at the race with feed/ tech zone. It's a hell of a lot of work, and at times requires more than one person to help. Being a solo athlete is also a tough game to play, and at the current stage of his journey he would probably also benefit massively from the motivation of being in a team and being surrounded by more experienced riders.

I truly hope he can get the support he needs. He has earned it many times over.

You’re right, it could not have come at a worse time. But the way I see Luke , if anyone has the character to survive this and win, it’s him. 
if I win the lotto tomorrow, he’ll have his budget for the year, gladly. There isn’t a lower risk investment grade cyclist in SA at the moment.

 

[DieselnDust]

6 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

Its not only about tax, its a has many benefits to live there and its great, I enjoy it. I also really enjoy my time when Im in Girona between. 

The travel isnt an issue if If you have your own car or can afford a private taxi. Remember when you going to a race, often a 1 or few others are and you split the fee. Then it's not 3 hours, 3 hours is by bus if you have no car. If you want a private taxi it's quicker but 250e 1 way.

So for a privateer with no large financial backing or a struggling privateer its not really an ideal place to base yourself

Europe itself is expensive for all aspects. A SA slimming it on a couch isn’t ideal either.

in order to maximise performance potential an athlete needs to eat well consistently and sleep even better. That’s hard to do in a camper van. Also you need at least two extra people to support and act as luggage carriers or you start to hit additional expenses travelling with two bikes , spare wheels etc etc. 

ideally a privateer wants a mechanic and a soigneur. Three people flying about or taking a train. Intercity trains ain’t cheap either. Their benefit is time and a bit less stress. But you’re still moving equipment around. 
 

i simplistically thought Andorra due to the number of athletes living there and it’s at altitude. I think Girona also has a large athlete population? Yeah, the transport aspect is a big consideration. 
 

which , in your opinion, are the preferred cities for athletes to base themselves ?

[Shebeen]

7 minutes ago, renayg said:

I had the opportunity to travel with Luke in 2023 for a few of the WC races, helping with logistics, shopping, cooking, cleaning bikes, sorting out spares and helping at the race with feed/ tech zone. It's a hell of a lot of work, and at times requires more than one person to help. Being a solo athlete is also a tough game to play, and at the current stage of his journey he would probably also benefit massively from the motivation of being in a team and being surrounded by more experienced riders.

I truly hope he can get the support he needs. He has earned it many times over.

so you're saying you were the "Darren" Luke needs?

 

5 hours ago, J Wakefield said:

You need to base yourself on the following:

Financial sense - no point if you trying to work on a tight budget to base yourself in Girona, its really expensive for accomodation even when sharing - and daily living costs.

Travel - you need to be near fairly easy access to and from races. Also what s cheap for travel. Andorra is 3hrs by bus each way as said to an airport or train, unless you flying private. BCN is 1.5hrs by car from girona and a train will be an hour with a change. remember they dont run alll night and a private taxi is 150e each way. 

Training - you need good enviroment for this, it needs to cater to and for your needs as an athlete. 

General - hospitals, support like a bike shop for example etc. 

 

let's workshop this one quickly.

UCI XCO calendar

https://ucimtbworldseries.com/news/whoop-uci-mountain-bike-world-series-2025-calendar-unveiled

2 x brazil in early april (stay in ZA before and return then)

3x Czech=>Austria=>Italy   20 May:22 June (pick any of those countries and find a base and travel to the other 2)

And  9Jul (travel to this one)

Fra 21 Aug

WORLD CHAMPS Sui  10-14 Sep

Sui 18 Sep

USA/CAN 3-12 Oct (fly in from Europe 

 

 

so here's my answer:

stay in ZA and fly in fly out to brazil.

go to Livigno Italy in mid May and base yourself there for 3 months, travelling to Czech/Aus. down the road to Val di sole. travel to Andorra for that one..

leave for Fra/Alps and do that world cup and WChamps and Sui WC - mid august -mid sept for 1 month

fly to the states for 3 weeks, doing 2 world cups. Come back to ZA

Total - 5 months on the road.

 

Why Livigno? It's sort of close to the first 3 in Europe and has some tax free status on goods so is relatively cheap cost of living. 

Quote

Livigno is one of those magical destinations that enjoys tax-free status and at 1815m, this high altitude means excellent snow conditions. Livigno is set in a wide, remote valley across the border from St Moritz where a Livigno lift pass will get you half-price on a day lift pass.

 

 

 

[DieselnDust]

3 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

so you're saying you were the "Darren" Luke needs?

 

let's workshop this one quickly.

UCI XCO calendar

https://ucimtbworldseries.com/news/whoop-uci-mountain-bike-world-series-2025-calendar-unveiled

2 x brazil in early april (stay in ZA before and return then)

3x Czech=>Austria=>Italy   20 May:22 June (pick any of those countries and find a base and travel to the other 2)

And  9Jul (travel to this one)

Fra 21 Aug

WORLD CHAMPS Sui  10-14 Sep

Sui 18 Sep

USA/CAN 3-12 Oct (fly in from Europe 

 

 

so here's my answer:

stay in ZA and fly in fly out to brazil.

go to Livigno Italy in mid May and base yourself there for 3 months, travelling to Czech/Aus. down the road to Val di sole. travel to Andorra for that one..

leave for Fra/Alps and do that world cup and WChamps and Sui WC - mid august -mid sept for 1 month

fly to the states for 3 weeks, doing 2 world cups. Come back to ZA

Total - 5 months on the road.

 

Why Livigno? It's sort of close to the first 3 in Europe and has some tax free status on goods so is relatively cheap cost of living. 

 

 

 

Pretty close to the plan, chapeau 👏🏼

[Danger Dassie]

37 minutes ago, renayg said:

What has happened to Luke couldn't really have come at a worse time.

Luke has a big transition to make from u23 to elite racing this year. He has spent the last few years catching up from missing two seasons of racing due to Covid travel restrictions and finishing school, and last year he finally managed to get back to the sharp end of the field consistently which is no doubt a huge boost for his confidence and morale.

With Candice and Darren having chosen to continue the privateer route, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work for Luke. The Lill's have done this for many, many years and have a system that works for them. They know all the ins and outs of the WC racing scene and have many connections that help them do what they do well. What works for them is probably not the best option for Luke.

I had the opportunity to travel with Luke in 2023 for a few of the WC races, helping with logistics, shopping, cooking, cleaning bikes, sorting out spares and helping at the race with feed/ tech zone. It's a hell of a lot of work, and at times requires more than one person to help. Being a solo athlete is also a tough game to play, and at the current stage of his journey he would probably also benefit massively from the motivation of being in a team and being surrounded by more experienced riders.

I truly hope he can get the support he needs. He has earned it many times over.

Conversely, there's a window to turn this into an opportunity. His profile has risen a bit from the increased media attention because of this situation. His name has popped up in a few conversations outside of XCO and even cycling, so if it crosses the right person his situation may well be better off.  

[J Wakefield]

10 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

so you're saying you were the "Darren" Luke needs?

 

let's workshop this one quickly.

UCI XCO calendar

https://ucimtbworldseries.com/news/whoop-uci-mountain-bike-world-series-2025-calendar-unveiled

2 x brazil in early april (stay in ZA before and return then)

3x Czech=>Austria=>Italy   20 May:22 June (pick any of those countries and find a base and travel to the other 2)

And  9Jul (travel to this one)

Fra 21 Aug

WORLD CHAMPS Sui  10-14 Sep

Sui 18 Sep

USA/CAN 3-12 Oct (fly in from Europe 

 

 

so here's my answer:

stay in ZA and fly in fly out to brazil.

go to Livigno Italy in mid May and base yourself there for 3 months, travelling to Czech/Aus. down the road to Val di sole. travel to Andorra for that one..

leave for Fra/Alps and do that world cup and WChamps and Sui WC - mid august -mid sept for 1 month

fly to the states for 3 weeks, doing 2 world cups. Come back to ZA

Total - 5 months on the road.

 

Why Livigno? It's sort of close to the first 3 in Europe and has some tax free status on goods so is relatively cheap cost of living. 

 

 

 

5months on the road, 3 of them at 1800m in Livingo? Not really the best plan performance wise. Last thing you want to do is live at 1800m constantly. 

[ajnkzn]

Ok so what would be the best Mr Wakefield? 
 

100 words or less and go 🙌

[ajnkzn]

Would one never get back on the radar if you stayed in SA and raced (and hopefully won) as much as possible here and smash out the social media growth and networking for 2026?

[J Wakefield]

11 minutes ago, ajnkzn said:

Ok so what would be the best Mr Wakefield? 
 

100 words or less and go 🙌

Get support to complete the season best as possible. 

[babse]

33 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

so you're saying you were the "Darren" Luke needs?

 

 

 

 

 

I got the oke slaving in a line at home affairs wynberg last week... 

[NickGM]

22 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

5months on the road, 3 of them at 1800m in Livingo? Not really the best plan performance wise. Last thing you want to do is live at 1800m constantly. 

I'll take your word for it, but that surprises me. Places like Eldoret in Kenya (2100m) are a conveyor belt of endurance athletes. And our biggest city is at 1800m.

[Shebeen]

41 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

5months on the road, 3 of them at 1800m in Livingo? Not really the best plan performance wise. Last thing you want to do is live at 1800m constantly. 

Better tell the crowd at the Tuks high performance centre to move to the coast then!

 

Jokes aside, welcome to any better logistical plans if he only hits half his fundraising budget. 

[NC_lurker]

35 minutes ago, babse said:

I got the oke slaving in a line at home affairs wynberg last week... 

This brings to mind international visa questions..

How does a privateer athlete on a SA passport get a Schengen visa for a long enough duration to cover a season of racing. Not sure if Luke travels on a SA passport?

@J Wakefield how does it work for athletes contracted to a team? Assuming the team is registered in Europe does that enable the athlete to be eligible for a sponsored work visa? I'm assuming it's additional complexity that might see a team select a European citizen over a non-european..

[J Wakefield]

15 hours ago, NC_lurker said:

This brings to mind international visa questions..

How does a privateer athlete on a SA passport get a Schengen visa for a long enough duration to cover a season of racing. Not sure if Luke travels on a SA passport?

@J Wakefield how does it work for athletes contracted to a team? Assuming the team is registered in Europe does that enable the athlete to be eligible for a sponsored work visa? I'm assuming it's additional complexity that might see a team select a European citizen over a non-european..

For a South African? If so, they do not get work sponsored visa's they need to apply like everyone else and you can get a 180 day visa in some cases but not the easiest to get. This applies for staff also unless you live in europe with residency. 

[Pandatron]

29 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

For a South African? If so, they do not get work sponsored visa's they need to apply like everyone else and you can get a 180 day visa in some cases but not the easiest to get. This applies for staff also unless you live in europe with residency. 

So we need to get Luke married as well, can we add that to the above action plan