Team Medscheme 2009

[Mudsimus]

Most of our pro riders dont have any intentions of becoming anything more than local pro's. So why would they want to do 180km if they can do 90km for the same prize money? Its been tried before and it doesnt work. Who remembers the 94.2? The Pro's had to race over 180km for huge money, but still only a handful manage to finish. The race only lasted for 2years? Same happens at SA's every year.

[Nettie R]

But only 90kms? What a joke, it's an average distance for most of us! ALL major race oraganisers should change their elite distances and then there is no way of getting past it. If the elites won't race, because it's too far (cry me a river) I'm sure the Vets will take the organisers up on it.

I am sure the Malcolm Langes of SA will pitch if the race purse is big enough, even if the distance is 150km. It's about the money, honey.

[Eldron]

As someone said earlier pros and recreational cyclists want two completely different things - you can't appease both groups with one race.

 

There should be a pro circuit with "races" and a recreational circuit with "rides". The recreational rides have seeding and points to the winners - get enough points and you qualify for the pro circuit. Once you have a certain number of points you can't ride the recreational circuit any more...

 

Separate the pro and rec riders and most of the problems will be solved...

 

Trying to prepare pros for europe in fun rides is insane...

 

Problem is fun rides are money makers - pro races are money drainers...

 

My 2c...

[henry newbi]

They must start a national event calender 9 races over 9 months in 9

provinces only pro teams must be alowed to race in it , with distances

of 150km up with a national cup title on the line or something.This way

the pro teams will have something to race for and they will work out

their programs so that they can race that distances.

 

Then a team can say they are the national cup winning team so they are

the best team on a timing system with a limit on team size.

 

This will have teams and sponsors wanting the best riders and then

putting more money in to the sport and getting more youngsters up there

with the top guys and get them ready for world class racing.

 

You can have a team cup and rider cup.

 

[JA-Q001]

Unfortionately most of the elite and u/23 riders that ride the events, dont ride for teams, dont earn a salary through cycling and are studying or working and then they are also trying to get into the pro ranks. most juniors that start u/23, do not start on a team! if they should start u/23- elite catagory and do races of 160km+, with no team, no backup and no experience, how many would continue? we would have 4teams racing, 3 teams trying to hang on and no place for youngsters to show what they actually got! Oh ja, hi. Im a new poster, but a long time reader. 

[Gary Rabie]

Zoon, do you know who Christoff van Heerden is riding for next year?

[bruce]

Unfortionately most of the elite and u/23 riders that ride the events' date=' dont ride for teams, dont earn a salary through cycling and are studying or working and then they are also trying to get into the pro ranks. most juniors that start u/23, do not start on a team! if they should start u/23- elite catagory and do races of 160km+, with no team, no backup and no experience, how many would continue? we would have 4teams racing, 3 teams trying to hang on and no place for youngsters to show what they actually got! Oh ja, hi. Im a new poster, but a long time reader.  [/quote']

 

Which is exactly why we need a strength-vs-strength category based system, and not an age based system.  Juniors etc work their way up through the categories until they reach elite.  Old pros that don't have the time, or good amateurs that are not intending to be pro's can race a slightly lower category.  Juniors can then race with old pro's, learn the ropes, and progress up the ladder until they can compete at elite level. 

[Bronson]

bring on the longer rides - lets up the anti of average and go big or go home. Most avid riders enjoy the challenge of endurance. I reckon they should take the worlds big races i.e., TDF, Giro De Italia etc calculate the averarge distance from all the stages / races and fix the distance at that. Im sure we would be looking at around 150Km?

[waylonza]

Yes Gary, Zoon is right Christoff is going to MTN.

[Comebackboy]

Unfortionately most of the elite and u/23 riders that ride the events' date=' dont ride for teams, dont earn a salary through cycling and are studying or working and then they are also trying to get into the pro ranks. most juniors that start u/23, do not start on a team! if they should start u/23- elite catagory and do races of 160km+, with no team, no backup and no experience, how many would continue? we would have 4teams racing, 3 teams trying to hang on and no place for youngsters to show what they actually got! Oh ja, hi. Im a new poster, but a long time reader.  [/quote']

 

I have seen some of these juniors... if they dont have any support, or experience, why the hell are they riding R60K bikes?? if they have the potential and their parents can see that... well i hope they can see it in buying them these sh*t expensive equipment, then why not help them a bit after school as well??