I went back to that old thread, and I did indeed misrepresent your point — you suggested that a young new racer needs a 105 Di2 bike with cf wheels:

And the entirety of my post/point revolves around the why. Why isn't there that many young faces at gravel races, and why are there not many road racers out there.

Access and cost. Of the few willing kids with the ability - even fewer of them can overcome access and cost.

And I will say it again - bikes are flat stupid expensive. My last trip to the LBS reinforced that point - say a mid level entry race bike for example, a 105 equipped Madone. Over 6 grand. Sorry boys, that is stupid expensive no matter how you shake it.

Before you respond that it’s not what you meant, please recall that several other posters understood you exactly as I did — suggesting that a $6k bike is somehow necessary to start racing. So if that isn’t your stance, then either we ALL have poor reading skills, or — as you acknowledged in another thread — you have weak communication skills.

This doesn’t surprise me. You routinely ignore responses that challenge or disprove your points.