Race4(peanuts)victory

[hagar]

...so tell us what race this is hagar. pretty please.

 you dont know its the race for victory

 

Voted the 3rd best organised race in the country according to Bicycling Magazine

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE MONEY IS A TOTAL OF R65 000

[bored girl]

Bored Girl- Prize ceremonies in most countries happen right next to the line' date=' just after the race, where the spectators are. Most races have a very active post race media campaign to not just advertise before, but the results too. That is the real incentive for sponsors.[/quote']

 

 

 

It really is pathetic. At some races where you have only prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd you need 3 people or 6 the most if you wait for the ladies. So why do they make us wait for 2 hrs? And by the time you've received your packet of jelly babies you wanna go home because it is now 1pm and you got things to do. So even people that receive prizes don't stay til the very end.... it's disrespectful but then they must do prize givings at civilized times. My opinion at least...

[Li Mu Bai]

Hagar, what happens then when the ladies are drafting behind the men in groups that catch them up. I have seen the ladies doing this, its not quite ladies racing then anymore is it?

difficult one to come to some sort of compromise.

 

[Eldron]

Bored Girl- Prize ceremonies in most countries happen right next to the line' date=' just after the race, where the spectators are. Most races have a very active post race media campaign to not just advertise before, but the results too. That is the real incentive for sponsors.[/quote']

It really is pathetic. At some races where you have only prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd you need 3 people or 6 the most if you wait for the ladies. So why do they make us wait for 2 hrs? And by the time you've received your packet of jelly babies you wanna go home because it is now 1pm and you got things to do. So even people that receive prizes don't stay til the very end.... it's disrespectful but then they must do prize givings at civilized times. My opinion at least...

 

I agree - prize giving should be straight after the race - within 30 mins ala Tour de France style. On the mountain stage riders are still finishing when the prizes are being handed out. Sometimes they don't do the green jersey because he is still on his bike

 

Someone raised the A, B, C and D group versus license and unlicensed. It works a treat in the UK - there are different races for Cat 1, 2, 3, 4 and Premier. As you earn points you get into the next category until you're a Pro. The racing is nice and close because your peers are of equal strength - none of this fat dude in too little spandex starting with the licensed riders because he wanted to start early bullsh!t.

 

Of course (as was mentioned) - this system requires a very strong central association and lord knows we don't have one of those (hey CSA?).

[Dirt*girl™]

...so tell us what race this is hagar. pretty please.

 you dont know its the race for victory

 

Voted the 3rd best organised race in the country according to Bicycling Magazine

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE MONEY IS A TOTAL OF R65 000

 

oops, now that was a blonde moment.

 

But I do agree, the ladies need to come to the party, 2, 3, 4 ladies can't represent the entire category..with equal prize money. That is not fair.

 

Prize giving, well...you stay or you go. That's it.

[Austin]

The root of the problem is the way we licence and register a race to be classed sporting, not recreational. These "recreational" events get sold as sporting event for more exposure at cheaper prices to media, so the racing part is important to them, even though the numbers are less. If it is just recreation, it doesnt get published in the papers or on sport programs, you then pay Kwela or someone to come cover it.

 

Organisers can benefit hugely form the front end, just have to be "taught" again how.

If the event runs in a certain set of rules that encourage best sporting pratice and spectacle, then  organisers will see the benefits and am sure they will also change as they stand a chance of making even more money. The "other" bit of organisers who are really in it for the Sporting aspect will then also see the return of proper racing( Note, I said racing not cyclists as we do have proper cyclists, just not giving them the place to show it and develop it)

[bruce]

The root of the problem is the way we licence and register a race to be classed sporting' date=' not recreational. These "recreational" events get sold as sporting event for more exposure at cheaper prices to media, so the racing part is important to them, even though the numbers are less. If it is just recreation, it doesnt get published in the papers or on sport programs, you then pay Kwela or someone to come cover it.

 

Organisers can benefit hugely form the front end, just have to be "taught" again how.

If the event runs in a certain set of rules that encourage best sporting pratice and spectacle, then  organisers will see the benefits and am sure they will also change as they stand a chance of making even more money. The "other" bit of organisers who are really in it for the Sporting aspect will then also see the return of proper racing( Note, I said racing not cyclists as we do have proper cyclists, just not giving them the place to show it and develop it)

[/quote']

The current situation is analogous to having local pub/social rugby teams playing at the same time, in the same place, as a tri-nations test match!  Firstly the biggest fans (social players) can't watch the test match 'cos they are playing at the same time, and secondly, you ain't going to draw massive crowds to some watch the social teams play - you lose on both accounts!

[Austin]

Most forums are like meetings without a strong chairperson- goes nowhere and just goes on forever without resolution. And like in any meeting- disect the goal/problem to the root of cause. Here it is easy-

Organisers need to be set rules in which they organise the Sporting part of their event( the true money making part if they were smart).

Cycling SA need to do this in pro-active not re-active manner.

When setting up new guidelines they can either do it by throwing list of requirements or by assisting in implementing them...( you decide which of these two will be best beneficial for the future)

 

If done properly, no organiser that doesnt want to comply should be allowed into the sport, no matter how nice the goodie bag. They will then just not be seeing the big picture to grow even bigger

 

[Dirt*girl™]

You hinting for a job Austin?

 

I agree with you, on certain aspects...but you have to keep the races unique..different...ok, the MTB races at least.

[Austin]

The root of the problem is the way we licence and register a race to be classed sporting' date=' not recreational. These "recreational" events get sold as sporting event for more exposure at cheaper prices to media, so the racing part is important to them, even though the numbers are less. If it is just recreation, it doesnt get published in the papers or on sport programs, you then pay Kwela or someone to come cover it.

 

Organisers can benefit hugely form the front end, just have to be "taught" again how.

If the event runs in a certain set of rules that encourage best sporting pratice and spectacle, then  organisers will see the benefits and am sure they will also change as they stand a chance of making even more money. The "other" bit of organisers who are really in it for the Sporting aspect will then also see the return of proper racing( Note, I said racing not cyclists as we do have proper cyclists, just not giving them the place to show it and develop it)

[/quote']

The current situation is analogous to having local pub/social rugby teams playing at the same time, in the same place, as a tri-nations test match!  Firstly the biggest fans (social players) can't watch the test match 'cos they are playing at the same time, and secondly, you ain't going to draw massive crowds to some watch the social teams play - you lose on both accounts!

Bruce, you see the picture quite correctly. So, benefits and rights differ too as in Rugby? The Pro Rugby player doesnt pay to go play the game in centre field, etc

Solution-

You can watch the last 50k of the pro's if they ride 150km on a circuit right by the social course. 

Like many of the difficult to reach sports- media is your crowd. After event sales by the organisers.

 

Again, as I said in my previous post- Comes down to taking things the likes of Bruce have mentioned and working on solutions for them. Adress at the root. Let see if this goes to 100 pages or to action( meeting with chairperson or tea party...) 

 

[scotty]

[quote name=Spinnekop

 

Then no one license and everyone rides Open.  Pro riders by virtue of being pro will be forced to ride pro' date=' prize money should not be an issue but prestige should be. Prize money in any case is divided between the team which make it minimal in any case.

 

Brings us back to the seeding of ability and not if you license or not.......

Al-innie-rondte........

 

Pro Lic category

Division A - Top 200 cyclists

Division B - 201-400

Division C - 401-600

etc. etc. etc. Agree

 

You want prize money?.....work your way up to Div A and race for a win....

You want to be a paid pro, work your way up to DivA and race for a win and PRIZE MONEY Then go onto Pro Lic category

 

For that to work, you have to have a TRUE national seeding ladder that WORKS and gets UPDATED by a CENTRAL BODY - CSA?. Agreed

 

You can then hold tours and races based on Divisions....you don't want the "pros"......then do a race for Division B and C.....prize money etc. Agreed 

 

[/quote]

[Austin]

You hinting for a job Austin?

 

I agree with you' date=' on certain aspects...but you have to keep the races unique..different...ok, the MTB races at least.

[/quote']

 

In fact I am taking a bit of leave from full time cycling work, but will always help partime if need be..

 

Races must remain unique, I agree, but implementing the small things to ensure true sporting spectacle is REALLy needed in RSA at present. Especially in road racing... we play putt-putt in RSA instead of golf( Twitter followers will know me for being outspoken on this!)

[bruce]

You hinting for a job Austin?

 

I agree with you' date=' on certain aspects...but you have to keep the races unique..different...ok, the MTB races at least.

[/quote']

 

In fact I am taking a bit of leave from full time cycling work, but will always help partime if need be..

 

Races must remain unique, I agree, but implementing the small things to ensure true sporting spectacle is REALLy needed in RSA at present. Especially in road racing... we play putt-putt in RSA instead of golf( Twitter followers will know me for being outspoken on this!)

Was discussing this issue yesterday.  We are closer to being internationally competitive at the ladies and junior levels.  The reason for this is that our racing here in S.A. for these categories is closer to the levels experienced internationally.  BUT, at Elite level, our guys are racing 100km fun rides, while the Euro guys are racing 250km 6 to 7 hour classics.  And we wonder why our local guys battle with the step up when they fly over there and get thrown in the deep end.

It's not to say we don't have the talent, I genuinely believe we do!  The gap between our Elite level racing, and international level is just too big.

[skelmpie]

Bruce/Austin can you please organise a race for us, and show these local organisers how it gets done!!!!

[Slowbee]

I really enjoy reading threads like these where team managers have a say in what is going on. It gives real insight into the state of cycling in SA, and also just how difficult it is to organise a race, I mean ride. Sorry.

[Austin]

Bruce/Austin can you please organise a race for us' date=' and show these local organisers how it gets done!!!![/quote']

 

Actually, I tell you what. Any organiser or friend of organiser who is reading this can pm me and set up a meeting. See if the suggestions I make can turn the ride into a sporting spectacle that is remembered for producing a true champion of the event, yet still cater for the Cyclotourist. I wont just suggest, but if you are serious, do all I can to help make it happen.

 

Even the Argus is only remembered for being one of the biggest timed events, not for producing an Epic battle with a worthy Champion. You can try and go that route, but there are two already..not sure if a 3rd is going to cut it. And who wants to be 3rd anyway, so take up a challenge..