Upgrading to a Category 1 in one season. How hard is it to go pro?
05-21-13, 11:00 AM
#76
soon to be gsteinc...
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Hahahahahahahahaha - you must be an engineer...
That was pretty crafty though
ohoowhwaworc ohacworcwo rooohu anworarcwhwowa aoacraao aorcahoaor?
That was pretty crafty though
ohoowhwaworc ohacworcwo rooohu anworarcwhwowa aoacraao aorcahoaor?
05-21-13, 11:06 AM
#77
Making a kilometer blurry
ah rcrawhwaooscanro aoacrcwooh ahao ra rhooaoaooo oowhwo aoahscwo ra wwwooh roworarcc rarroo, rawhwa acwo waahwawh'ao scahcc ra rhworaao
05-21-13, 11:24 AM
#80
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05-21-13, 11:35 AM
#83
Making a kilometer blurry
05-21-13, 12:00 PM
#85
Making a kilometer blurry
I don't care what botto says. You're ok
05-21-13, 01:04 PM
#87
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This is real. I am real. I've provided certain minor false details so I could remain anonymous, but the racing part and results are true. I was just hoping for some advice. Success stories. Not a witch hunt. If that is what it will be then please delete the thread. You can block me if you would like. I was just hoping to hear or see some success stories and advice. Not come here to gloat or prove myself.
05-21-13, 01:10 PM
#88
Making a kilometer blurry
minor false details + research-wtf ≠ witch hunt. Surely there's no mystery around how the conversation went at it did, is there?
needless to say there are not many pros in this forum. You would do yourself a favor to buy some local former pro/current coach lunch and a beer to discuss.
On top of that, you've got some valid answers above.
needless to say there are not many pros in this forum. You would do yourself a favor to buy some local former pro/current coach lunch and a beer to discuss.
On top of that, you've got some valid answers above.
05-21-13, 01:27 PM
#89
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minor false details + research-wtf ≠ witch hunt. Surely there's no mystery around how the conversation went at it did, is there?
needless to say there are not many pros in this forum. You would do yourself a favor to buy some local former pro/current coach lunch and a beer to discuss.
You've got some valid answers above.
needless to say there are not many pros in this forum. You would do yourself a favor to buy some local former pro/current coach lunch and a beer to discuss.
You've got some valid answers above.
05-21-13, 01:29 PM
#91
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you got some sincere responses and allot of noise. welcome to bikeforums.
if you're that good, people will notice you and you'll end up on a top local or regional squad, which if you continue successfully will put you in position to compete on a more national level. this in turn will give you the opportunity to perform in front of more people and if you continue with that kind of success and promote yourself, you and pro teams will find each other.
i've seen 2 people go on a similarly rapid trajectory. they're both younger than you, at least 1 is. they started on a local squad, got to a national developmental type squad (like hot tubes or trek/bontrager) and then the pro teams found them.
i've seen 2 people go on a similarly rapid trajectory. they're both younger than you, at least 1 is. they started on a local squad, got to a national developmental type squad (like hot tubes or trek/bontrager) and then the pro teams found them.
05-21-13, 01:30 PM
#92
**** that
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A bunch of amateurs with low self esteem shooting down someone who is doing better than them. At least that's what I saw.. =]
05-21-13, 01:39 PM
#93
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Nevermind:
First off you can have a meteoric rise from a 5-1 and then like stein said burnout, mentally moreso than physically.
I may have missed it but not sure of age or previous athletic experience.
I started racing young and was a 1 my first year.
To get to the bigs you have to produce on a big stage, 1/2/3 fields aren't a big stage. State level is a little soapbox. NRC/NCC/USA Crit Series is a big stage for the US. When you started races with 100 guys and start finishing above other pros or 1s on Domestic Elite teams people may raise an eyebrow but even at that there is so much dependent on age and perceived ability. Age is important for developmental teams. My team has an 18 year old that just won a P/1/2 race from a break with 3 pros form the same team. He has gotten noticed. I have another teammate who just turned 19, was in the final 8 for the grid qualifier at Athens Twilight, he has gotten noticed. Please note that I said "noticed" no deals yet, but Directeur Sportifs will pay a little more attention.
For me I rose very quickly not only in results but in the ability to ride for a team (protected a teammate in a stage race by riding on his left side for every stage but the TT). Being a pro doesn't mean you are on the podium in every race. Teams want someone who will sacrifice their own interests for the interests of the team. Had I been racing this year I was our Road Captain, we have two former pros on our team, but why? Because I command respect as I am a ****ing beast... but I will sacrifice everything for the betterment of the team.
DSs also look for your demeanour off the bike, they don't want some d-bag who will make the team, sponsors and management look bad.
I came from a squad with huge horsepower where I was regularly looked over until my time came and some of our guys moved on.
Being a pro is much more than stepping on the podium.
Whether or not you will get there depends on these and another huge bundle of others.
First off you can have a meteoric rise from a 5-1 and then like stein said burnout, mentally moreso than physically.
I may have missed it but not sure of age or previous athletic experience.
I started racing young and was a 1 my first year.
To get to the bigs you have to produce on a big stage, 1/2/3 fields aren't a big stage. State level is a little soapbox. NRC/NCC/USA Crit Series is a big stage for the US. When you started races with 100 guys and start finishing above other pros or 1s on Domestic Elite teams people may raise an eyebrow but even at that there is so much dependent on age and perceived ability. Age is important for developmental teams. My team has an 18 year old that just won a P/1/2 race from a break with 3 pros form the same team. He has gotten noticed. I have another teammate who just turned 19, was in the final 8 for the grid qualifier at Athens Twilight, he has gotten noticed. Please note that I said "noticed" no deals yet, but Directeur Sportifs will pay a little more attention.
For me I rose very quickly not only in results but in the ability to ride for a team (protected a teammate in a stage race by riding on his left side for every stage but the TT). Being a pro doesn't mean you are on the podium in every race. Teams want someone who will sacrifice their own interests for the interests of the team. Had I been racing this year I was our Road Captain, we have two former pros on our team, but why? Because I command respect as I am a ****ing beast... but I will sacrifice everything for the betterment of the team.
DSs also look for your demeanour off the bike, they don't want some d-bag who will make the team, sponsors and management look bad.
I came from a squad with huge horsepower where I was regularly looked over until my time came and some of our guys moved on.
Being a pro is much more than stepping on the podium.
Whether or not you will get there depends on these and another huge bundle of others.
05-21-13, 01:44 PM
#94
pan y agua
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^ Age is a significant consideration. At 23, and in your first year, your run way is shortening to hit the bigs. UCI Continental teams have to have the majority of their riders under 28 years of age. Thus the closer you're getting to 28, the less value you have to a Continental team.
23 isn't too old, but if you have a chance to really go somewhere with this, you need to get on it now.
23 isn't too old, but if you have a chance to really go somewhere with this, you need to get on it now.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
05-21-13, 01:53 PM
#96
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05-21-13, 01:54 PM
#97
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^ Age is a significant consideration. At 23, and in your first year, your run way is shortening to hit the bigs. UCI Continental teams have to have the majority of their riders under 28 years of age. Thus the closer you're getting to 28, the less value you have to a Continental team.
23 isn't too old, but if you have a chance to really go somewhere with this, you need to get on it now.
23 isn't too old, but if you have a chance to really go somewhere with this, you need to get on it now.
05-21-13, 02:19 PM
#98
Making a kilometer blurry
I spent some time riding with a pro UHC rider last month, and he was a self described late bloomer... started racing at 23, turned pro at 24. Is 31 now. He went big fast though. Won Iron Horse as a cat 3, then turned around as a Cat 2 and won Gila the next spring (2007). I don't see any other road wins since (podiums, including nat'l crit champs), but still a pro... (to rkwaki's point about riding for the team).
He's extremely professional in conversation, went to college (science teacher), bought a home-town bike shop, plans to go back to teaching when done pro pedaling.
He's extremely professional in conversation, went to college (science teacher), bought a home-town bike shop, plans to go back to teaching when done pro pedaling.
05-21-13, 02:21 PM
#99
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I spent some time riding with a pro UHC rider last month, and he was a self described late bloomer... started racing at 23, turned pro at 24. Is 31 now. He went big fast though. Won Iron Horse as a cat 3, then turned around as a Cat 2 and won Gila the next spring (2007). I don't see any other road wins since (podiums, including nat'l crit champs), but still a pro... (to rkwaki's point about riding for the team)
It happens but it is rare...
05-21-13, 02:43 PM
#100
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Two of guys I know and have ridden with with that kind of talent have just competed in the TOC so they don't need this.
A third rides for UnitedHealthCare. Is your gig an upgrade?
The fourth is talented, but maybe too old (29). He would love to have a pro contract, but he just started his PhD. I think he might chuck it for a pro contract, though.