Pro-cycling thread

Let me put it this way.

He had the perfect understanding of the nuances of the sport (which many youngsters lack - this is what his talent was) and the willingness to do the extra mile.

The fact that he was a late developer further proves my point, that you shouldn't tell a kid he doesn't have it, because you never now what will happen.

He’s flying at the moment. He’s improved his Cudham’s PB by over a minute this year.

He's racing the Brixton Supermad on Sunday. Come down and heckle

a strange hill to die on, this guy may or may not exhibit exceptional genetics in elite endurance sport. but its damn handy to be genetically gifted and the majority of athletes at the pinnacle of these are sports are. You cant blame scouts for seeking that. No one is telling 10 year olds to sell their bikes because they dont have enough alveoli or whatever.

you shouldn't tell a kid he doesn't have it, because you never now what will happen.

I agreed with that to a certain extent, I didn't say otherwise. My point is that it is disingenuous at best, and at worst a lie, to tell a kid that if they work harder than anyone else they can do anything. They can't. Sport is littered with resentful coulda shoulda woulda young adults who believed they were going to be pro and didn't make it, so quit. It's far more healthy to have realistic aims and be encouraged to enjoy the sport, no matter what their inherent ability is.

I said at worst delusional. I think it's a harmless but incorrect assumption - one which is easily forgiven considering the incredible self-focus required to be successful at an elite level.

But regardless of the rest of the other detail (I read one article), the assumption he makes between his success in the boat and his training approach does not put him in a position to comment on how much / hard / effectively the rest of the elite rowing world trained compared to him, especially as a meaure of their professionals failing to beat him.

And i thought people went over the top a bit here when wiggins won...

Also, how comes Hamish Bond's best international result on a bike was only 39th at a World's TT? Didn't he train as hard as the 38 who beat him?

a strange hill to die on, this guy may or may not exhibit exceptional genetics in elite endurance sport. but its damn handy to be genetically gifted and the majority of athletes at the pinnacle of these are sports are. You cant blame scouts for seeking that. No one is telling 10 year olds to sell their bikes because they dont have enough alveoli or whatever.

It's the hill I want to die on because to me it seems like we are shaming anyone that is talented, instead of looking at how they got there.

Surely if he was talented he could have won, right? ;)

He only trains harder when he's rowing. He's a lazy cyclist.

yep! Got beaten by more talented cyclists.

This is not true! Our collective posts should assuage your fears. No one here is dunking on youngsters for not being good enough. And at an elite level they work hand in hand, they have both the genes and the work ethic to win.

Genetics is how they got there, without exception. No one just "worked harder" when they were a kid and magically got a ride on the World Tour without already having the necessary genetics.

‘Faster’ by Michael Hutchinson is an enjoyable read on all this stuff.

But in breaking away he just rode harder

Seconded, great read

I think I own that film. I should find it and watch it.

"Push the pedals harder, you overcooked noodle" is one of my most often used coaching instructions.

What a giant heap of bikes. Looks like a scrapyard

Still slower than me

Didn't he write 'Never Tear Us Apart' and 'New Sensation' as well?

In addition to the freakish genetics, Pendleton has perhaps the most obvious focus and determination of anyone I’ve ever met. (CSB inbound) I met her at a motorbike/extreme sports festival a few years back and my other half volunteered me to teach her how to drop in to a miniramp on a skateboard. It’s a pretty daunting step on a skateboard and usually takes people quite a while and a bit of practice to build up to and pluck up the courage. She was straight in there, jumping up immediately after every fall and running back to the top until she got it (ridiculously quickly). Have been around plenty of people learning to skate and never seen anyone like it

Edit to get to the point; Genetics + Psychology + Training. Really I just wanted to post the CSB

I'm currently watching the Tony Hawk film so this anecdote is eerily relevant. :)

I can't skateboard (I did try but if I don't get stuff instantly I stop) and I'd rather stick needles under my nails than "drop in" on a halfpipe.

In short...Rog 😄